A new report from Public Health Wales highlights the increasing concerns that employers have for their employees’ both mental and physical health and wellbeing, following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Employer research undertaken by the Healthy Working Wales team at Public Health Wales between March and May 2021 identified that 73 per cent of employers stated poor mental health and wellbeing had become a bigger issue for employees and employers are more concerned than ever about their role in supporting and managing this.

Employers also expressed concern about a perceived increase in physical health issues among their staff, particularly musculoskeletal disorders, and an increase in unhealthy behaviours such as alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits leading to weight gain. All of these are risk factors for chronic health conditions developing over time.