Work "Affecting Scots' Health"

More than a third of Scottish workers say they've gained weight because of their job.

That's according to a survey by the British Heart Foundation.

Nearly a quarter of respondants said their work drove them to them to drink more alcohol, and one in ten says it's triggered them to smoke.
When asked how their work has ever affected their health:

• Over a third (37%) of Scottish workers say they think they have put on weight because of their work, with almost half (49%) saying their job has driven them to eat more unhealthily
• Nearly two fifths (39%) say their work has caused them to exercise less than they would like
• Nearly a quarter (23%) say their job has led to them to drink more alcohol and one in ten (11%) say it’s been a trigger for smoking more

The survey also showed almost three fifths (59%) of employees regularly do unpaid overtime, with over one in six (16%) working more than five hours overtime a week. The pressures of work are leaving people concerned about their long-term health with over a quarter (26%) fearing it could lead to a heart attack or heart condition.

This Heart Month (February), the BHF is encouraging employers to join its Health at Work programme and run the 10 Minute Heart Month Challenge, starting on 16 February

Obesity, lack of physical activity and smoking all increase the risk of coronary heart disease – the nation’s single biggest killer. But the BHF says that employers encouraging their workforce to take as little as 10 minutes every day to improve their health at work can lead to significant benefits in employee heart health and productivity.

Productivity loss as a result of heart and circulatory conditions is estimated to cost businesses £8billion a year. (2) However research shows of the vast majority of companies (82%) with employee wellness programmes see reduced sickness absence and a 15% increase in output. (3)

Lisa Young, Project Manager for the BHF’s Health at Work programme, said: “This survey is a stark reminder of just what happens when we don’t take our health at work seriously enough. Millions of people say they are smoking more, exercising less and putting on weight because they’re not considering the impact their job is having on their health and wellbeing.

“Behaviours like these can be extremely damaging, not just to your heart health but also to businesses. From working with over with 9,500 organisations we know that the payoffs of making health at work a top businesses priority are too great to ignore.

“Small steps can make a big difference to your health. This Heart Month we’re working with organisations across the UK to encourage employees to take 10 minutes every day to make positive changes which could have a life-long benefit to their health.”

The BHF’s Health at Work programme offers free expert advice to employers to help improve the health and productivity of their workforce.

More than 9,500 organisations have already benefitted, helping their workers get active, eat well and reduce their stress.