Work related stress is a significant occupational health problem in the UK today. According to the Health and Safety Executive, the number of sick days claimed by employees stood at some 38.8 million in 2019/20, with stress, depression or anxiety accounting for the majority of days lost due to work-related ill health  - approximately 17.9 million.

​

In 2013 the charity Mind found that 60 per cent of employees say they’d feel more motivated if their employer took action to support mental wellbeing.

Key factors affecting mental health in the workplace include:

• long hours and no breaks

• unrealistic expectations or deadlines

• overly pressurised working environments

• unmanageable workloads or lack of control over work

• lone working

• poor internal communication

• poor managerial support

 

When the body is not given time to recuperate and restore following a period of excessive stress, this can lead to increased susceptibility to disease and illness such as headaches, fatigue, digestive problems and high blood pressure. It can also impact memory and brain functioning.

 

What are some of the benefits of offering reflexology in the workplace?

1. Increased wellbeing and motivation

2. Improvements in energy levels, performance and productivity

3. Increased feelings of support

4. Increased satisfaction within the workplace.

5. Increased loyalty

6. Reduced pain

7. Fewer sick days

8. Reduced absenteeism

​

How might this work for your company?

I have a range of options available, including

• Company subsidises whole treatment

• Company part-subsidises treatment and employee pays the difference

• Employees pay for whole treatment

• Treatments would need to take place in the company offices, in a small private room

• Treatment length can vary company to company – ideally 30 minute sessions (this can be adapted to suit your company.

• Full or half days can be booked as a regular part of the company wellbeing strategy or as a one off.

 

If you are interested in finding out more about how reflexology can support wellbeing in your workplace, please contact me to discuss further.

 

There are requirements for employers under the Health and Safety at Work legislation to ensure that there is a health and safety policy in place that includes managing stress and supporting mental wellbeing. Complementary therapies such as reflexology for employees could be part of this strategy.

 

What does the research say?

​

In their preliminary study into the effects of using reflexology to manage stress in the workplace, Atkins & Harris (2008) found that overall the results from the range of outcome measures identified stronger trends towards improvement in perceived health and well-being following reflexology intervention in the workplace. In particular, mood and quality of sleep consistently improved for all participants. Three of the four participants reported overall improvements in managing stress levels and quality of sleep and two participants felt their general health and well-being had improved. All participants agreed that it was important to manage stress levels and three said they would use reflexology in the workplace if it were offered to them.