Wellbeing at Work
Work related stress is the largest occupational health problem in the UK today. According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of sick days claimed by employees stood at some 27.3 million in 2014/15, with stress accounting for 35% of all work-related ill health cases.*
Excessive stress, without the opportunity to recover, can cause physiological and psychological problems such as tension, fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, irritability, lowered immune system etc. Specifically, in the workplace, the effects could result in:
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Low morale
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Reduced performance, productivity and creativity
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Tiredness
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Irritability
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Increased absenteeism and therefore potential loss of income for the company
There are requirements for employers under the Health and Safety at work legislation to reduce stress for their employees. At Board level Directors need to ensure that there is a health and safety policy that addresses stress in the workplace which could incorporate a stress management strategy if this was appropriate. Reflexology for employees could be part of this strategy.
Reflexology is a holistic therapy; it can tackle the underlying causes of stress not simply the symptoms. It is based on the principle that all organs, glands, muscles, bones and body systems are represented by reflexes on the feet, lower legs, face, ears and hands. When specific massage pressure techniques are applied to these nerve reflexes, circulation is improved to the relevant areas and the body can begin its own healing process. Any imbalances in the body systems can be identified and worked on in order that the physical, hormonal or emotional blockages can be released. Reflexology treats the whole person and by focusing on prevention rather than cure, it can help maintain good health in the long term.
Benefits for Employers
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Improved motivation, productivity and effectiveness of employees
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Higher company satisfaction scores and thereby higher loyalty
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Reduced employee stress and pressure
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Reduced absenteeism
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Attractive benefit for recruitment
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Inexpensive and convenient way for a company to invest in employees’ wellbeing
Benefits for Employees
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Increased staff morale and feeling of being valued by the company
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Improved health, wellbeing and enhanced resistance to future illness
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Potential reduced absenteeism
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Convenience of treatment during the working day
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Cost – part/wholly subsidised if applicable
How will this work for your company?
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Company to determine cost involvement. Options include:
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Company subsidises whole treatment
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Company part-subsidised treatment and employee pays the difference
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Employees pay for whole treatment
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Agree frequency of visit – ideally one day a week
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Company to ensure sessions are promoted internally and booking system in place. This can be via company email promotions to book appointments every week. Booking system can simply be excel spreadsheet or more sophisticated online booking form.
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Treatments take place in the company offices, in a small private room
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Treatment length can vary company to company – ideally 30 or 60 minute sessions
If you are interested in setting up a meeting please contact me to discuss further.
Research / Case Studies
"Using Reflexology to manage stress in the workplace: a prelimenary study"
(2008) RC Atkins, Harris P. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2008 Nov;14(4):280-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2008.05.005. Epub 2008 Sep 25.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18940715
STAFF STUDY SEEN WITHIN WORCESTER HOSPITALS.
By Anne Jordan, First European Conference.
Twenty-eight subjects (22 females & 6 males, aged 22 to 66 years) were reported on in this study. Subjects received one 40-minute reflexology session per week for six weeks. Response to reflexology was measured after each session on several parameters including: pain, mobility, lassitude and psychological stress. All subjects reported some improvement after six sessions, with significant improvement being reported by: 74% of the 23 subjects experiencing pain, 53% of subjects concerned about mobility, 62.5% of subjects concerned with lassitude, and, 55% of subjects concerned with psychological stress. It is concluded that reflexology is a cost effective treatment for companies and institutions concerned about absenteeism and sick leave.
MUNICIPAL REFLEXOLOGY
By Leila Ericksen, The FDZ Research Council
This paper reports that employment of a reflexologist by Ishoj Health Department to serve 57 home helpers resulted in 2,499 less sick hour leaves in a six month period - compared to the same period the prior year. This was calculated to correspond to a savings of DKK 214,914 (approximately U.S.$32,000). The number of reflexology treatments during this six-month period was 863. The reflexologist was subsequently permanently employed.
A CLOSE UP VIEW ON COMPANY REFLEXOLOGY! - AN ANONYMOUS USER SURVEY
By Leila Ericksen, The FDZ Research Council
Telecom Taastrup hired a reflexologist 3 days a week for it's 7-800 employees. In this survey 156 employees, who had received a total of 1025 reflexology treatments during a one-year period, were sent a questionnaire. The return rate was 75% or 116: 87 from women, 19 from men, 10 blank. Treatments had been for back pain, muscle tension, headache/migraine, and stomach/intestinal problems (60%) a further 20% for common problems related to movement. 56% responses indicated that the reflexology treatments helped. 29% indicated that the reflexology provided partial help. The remainder of respondents indicated that the reflexology treatments did not help (7.5%) ,or, that they did not know (7.5%). In addition, 40% indicated that the reflexology treatments received had reduced their number of sick days. It was concluded that there was a direct economical benefit as well as increased well being and productivity of the employees.
Previous Companies where Reflexology Room London has offered wellbeing at work
