Hire and Rental News - April/May 2015

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27 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • APRIL/MAY 2015
INDUSTRY in FOCUS
at Work gives businesses access to an
accredited workplace health provider who
can help set some health goals, supported
by a simple action plan tailored to the
needs of the business and its workers.
Alternatively, businesses can choose to
develop their action plan independently
using Get Healthy at Work’s interactive
training tutorials and easy-to-use
resources, tools and templates to guide
The study of almost 8000 workers found
obese workers took nearly 90% more
sick days than workers considered to be
of ‘normal weight’. Researchers at the
Hamburg Centre for Health Economics
concluded this excessive ‘sickie’ rate had
a formidable contribution to industry in
lost productivity costs. Workers classed as
overweight, meanwhile – not obese – were
found to take about 31% more sick days
than their slimmer colleagues.
Overweight workers tip scales on sickies
According to a recent German study, overweight workers are much more likely to
take sick days than their slimmer and presumably healthier workmates.
The research team concluded excess
weight was a significant contributing
factor to absenteeism, disability, and
premature mortality. Sick leave duration of
obese workers was also found to be more
prolonged than non-obese workers.
While there was no shortage of workplace
health programs, evidence pointing
to financial returns was inconclusive,
researchers said. Australian research
suggests successful health programs could
see businesses experience up to
three times more productivity,
less sick leave and injuries, as
well as higher morale. Research
also reveals healthy workers
are fitter, more aware, alert
and resilient against illness,
and less likely to sustain
manual handling injuries.
See the new Get Healthy at
Work service run by WorkCover
NSW and NSW Health.
them every step of the way.
As part of the service, workers at
participating businesses are offered a free
and confidential 15-minute health check
to assess their risk of Type 2 diabetes and
heart disease. At-risk individuals are then
provided with advice and referrals to set
them on the path to better health. The
health check can be completed online or
with an onsite health practitioner during
work hours.
Visit: or
call WorkCover NSW on 13 10 50.
(Endnotes)
1 Analysis by PriceWaterhouseCoopers in
2010 using results from the National Health
Survey, combined with industry data sourced
from OHS bodies across Australia.
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