OECD, CBI and ONS reports concur that the UK has a poor and worsening record on productivity, and whilst we would support that a lack of focus surrounding health and wellbeing is impact on employee motivation, engagement and performance, we are concerned that industry is missing the obvious. 

As a global, independent think-tank, Leesman measures employee satisfaction levels with numerous workplace features and services. We have spoken to more than 140,000 employees across the world and the latest data has revealed that only 55 percent of employees think their workspace enables them to work productively, and only 49 percent of employees are proud of where they work. 

So whilst we would applaud any employer investing in efforts to improve the health and fitness of their employees, these efforts should not be at the expense of, or as some sort of diversionary tactic to detract from the core issue – that for growing numbers of employees, the physical and technological infrastructure of their workplace does not allow them to work productively, let alone perform at their peak. In a market where the battle for talent will become increasingly combative, employers are being dazzled by the appeal of sophisticated “wellness programmes” without considering the direct impact of a decade of under-investment in the physical workplace. 

The mental health and wellness impact for an employee who wakes each morning knowing that the workplace they are about to commute to does not support them working productively is hardly going to exhibit loyalty, pride or dedication. Or invest an ounce of discretionary effort. For us, this is where the productivity gap becomes a tangible drain on business performance.