Heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year, according to the World Heart Federation.  Because many people spend over half their waking hours at work, it is a logical setting for encouraging behaviors that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Yet, a recently released global survey shows that many workers believe their workplace actually hinders their ability to lead a healthy lifestyle.  While the survey does not delve into the reasons for employees feeling this way, it suggests a link between specific job sectors and the level of engagement in workplace-wellness initiatives.

According to the survey, the vast majority (91%) of workers believe that it is their employer’s responsibility to create a healthy working environment – however, nearly a third (32%) feel their workplace hurts their ability to lead a healthy lifestyle.  The survey compares responses from employees across five job sectors in India, Mexico, Poland and Portugal, and suggest that some workplace settings create more obstacles to healthy lifestyles than others.  The World Heart Federation’s employee survey revealed that of those questioned: 

• Significantly more people in the agriculture/manual labor sector (such as farmers) work more than 50 hours per week.  People in this sector are also more likely than other occupational sectors to state that they do not take steps to ensure a healthy lifestyle, and are more likely to take time off work due to sickness, with nearly a quarter (22%) having had 11 or more sick days in the past year.
• Professional business employees, such as lawyers and accountants, are significantly more likely than other occupational sectors to state that their employer offers five or six workplace wellness programs and initiatives (such as smoking-cessation programs or walk-to-work days).
• People in the government and public sector (e.g., educators) and professional business sector are more likely than those in the manufacturing/engineering sector (e.g., trade and distribution) to take steps towards a heart-healthy lifestyle, such as undertaking physical exercise at least three times a week, or not smoking.

Many employers in the United States and around the globe have recognized the importance of employee health and include workplace wellness programs as part of their corporate agenda. Workplace wellness programs can help encourage employees to modify their behavior through various programs such as smoking-cessation programs, smoke-free workplaces, gym memberships or other wellness initiatives that promote employee health.  Such programs may help dispel the notion that the workplace contributes to an unhealthy lifestyle.  In any event, the World Heart Federation’s survey suggests that employers in different industries should be sensitive to the unique nature of the work they perform and its potential impact on employee health.  Employers also need to be mindful of the legal issues that sometimes arise when implementing wellness programs.  For more in depth consideration of these issues, please see: Employer Mandated Wellness Initiatives: The Continuum from Voluntary to Mandatory Plans.