National Grid has highlighted how its Health Hub initiative has led to lower anxiety levels for participants at the IFA interconnector in Sellindge and made their lives easier.
Citing data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Grid drew on how workers in the construction industry are four times more likely to take their own lives than other sectors. Nine in 10 (90%) have felt overwhelmed, with 26% experiencing suicidal thoughts. In a bid to address this, it has introduced its Health Hub initiative at the IFA interconnector in Sellindge, through which it has sought to provide a working example of the tools and measures that can make a difference.
The Health Hub includes a gym, a canteen, outdoor social space and a TV room. Of the 107 participants that made use of it, two-thirds said the facilities had made their lives easier and led to lower levels of anxiety with increased use. Over half admitted they would like to see similar facilities when working on future projects, describing them as “unheard of” and things that can benefit everybody.
As part of the project, researchers from the University of Warwick carried out in-depth analysis of the challenges being faced by workers. Participants described a vicious cycle from the knock-on effects of long working hours on their physical and mental wellbeing. They also cited the stigma around mental health. Self-employed (70% of the total) and supervisors (12% of the total) reported significantly greater feelings of loneliness, while supervisors had higher depression scores. Social spaces through the Health Hub had managed to boost morale, with the facilities regarded as a sign of appreciation.
In terms of why employers should be playing particular attention to the health and wellbeing of their employees, National Grid pointed to research from Business In The Community. This found the cost from poor health due to absenteeism, attrition and presenteeism among UK employees equates to around £150bn per year. This works out around £5,000 per employee. The benefits of an improved workforce, however, are estimated to be around £4,000 to £7,000 for each employee.
Emma Ford, Construction Director for the IFA Project and the Health Hub business sponsor at National Grid, explained how the initiative had been designed to “engender a change of mindset for everyone involved and life beyond IFA”.
Ford continued: “We will continue to develop this vital research, sharing best practice across our business and industry through the Health Hub Consortium, with the core aim of creating a minimum wellbeing standard for all construction. We already know that by helping people to thrive, there is a reduction in absenteeism, increased productivity and improved mental health and that brings a monetary value. If businesses can see what they can gain from the implementation of health and wellbeing programmes, then that’s a positive change for the better.”
