Winter Health Risks in the Workplace: Why Employers Should Offer Vitamin D Testing

The winter months present a lot of management challenges to the average employer, not least the onset of the flu season and a number of other health challenges. Sickness absence is one of the largest costs an employer has to manage at any time of year, but during the winter months this increases as the business is faced by more prevalent health issues. This means that employers need to carry out research and analysis to ensure they can implement proactive measures to offset this within a comprehensive health and wellbeing plan for their workforce, and one of these measures is addressing a possible vitamin D deficiency in employees. 

Sunlight hours obviously reduce during the autumn and winter months and the strength of the sunlight we do receive is also reduced. In addition to this, we tend to spend more time indoors and less time outdoors during winter. This means the body doesn’t produce sufficient vitamin D and a deficiency in some individuals is a common outcome.  

The Impact On Employees Of Low Vitamin D  

Low levels of vitamin D can result in musculoskeletal issues because this vitamin is essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. It can also result in a weakened immune system, meaning employees are more exposed to winter viruses such as cold, flu and chest infections, while low vitamin D levels can also lead to low energy levels and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).  

Vitamin D therefore plays an important role in bone strength and immune systems and how low moods and energy levels are managed. However, low vitamin D levels is a common problem for adults in the UK and particularly during the winter months. Any cause of sickness absence can impact on productivity, but these issues relating to vitamin D deficiency do explain how employee performance and motivation can be impacted during winter. This is why an employer that prioritises health and wellbeing needs to be proactive in managing this by planning employee health checks at key times of year, and preparing for possible issues such as vitamin D deficiency.   

The Benefits Of Corporate Health Checks For Vitamin D 

Taking vitamin D supplements during autumn and winter is not a widely promoted practice, but it is recommended by some healthcare professionals. In addition, many adults are unaware of the effects of low vitamin D and the risks associated with it, so responsible employers have a duty to inform and educate employees, as well as addressing this key health and wellness impact, and corporate health checks are an ideal way of doing this.  

• Identify risk – Carrying out blood tests for employees which specifically target vitamin D levels means the employer is able to identify at-risk individuals. In addition to enabling those individuals to now receive appropriate treatment, the employer is also able to manage them better with this knowledge.   

• Tailored health advice – A programme of on-site vitamin D blood tests for employees enables health professionals to develop a personalised health plan for individual employees, based on interpreting blood test results and discussing other health issues that may be present. This could include diet and fitness advice to supplement a vitamin D deficiency programme.  

• Cost effective – Proactive employee health testing identifies and addresses key health issues early, and enables an employer to mitigate the costs of this. Cross training employees to cover absenteeism and preventing under-performance through a culture of presenteeism helps to reduce the costs of sickness absence, while the costs of recruitment and training can also be reduced by avoiding long term sickness.  

• Employee care – By providing a programme of employee health checks the employer is demonstrating a commitment to the health and wellbeing of the workforce. This makes an employee feel valued and cared for, which subsequently helps with commitment, engagement and motivation. Ultimately this can have a positive impact on productivity.   

How Do Corporate Health Checks For Vitamin D Work? 

At HealthClinic2You we provide a simple process for booking and implementing a programme of workplace health testing. Our mobile service provides employee health testing on your site for the range of health considerations you have chosen. For vitamin D health testing: 

• Our nurses take a very quick finger prick blood sample 

• Samples are sent off to our certified lab for testing 

• We provide fast results 

• We tailor a health programme for each individual based on these results and other health conditions discussed between the healthcare professional and the employee. In this discussion our healthcare professionals will also discuss the benefits and importance of vitamin D levels.  

So if you are a progressive employer and wish to be proactive in managing winter health impacts, including possible vitamin D deficiency, contact HealthClinic2You and we can help to programme tailored employee health checks on your site and at your convenience.