Can we boost workplace productivity through wellbeing?

The UK’s productivity challenge is something most employers are already aware of. While there have been recent signs of economic growth—such as a modest rebound in Q1 2025 with GDP up 0.7% year-on-year—the country’s overall productivity has remained a concern. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Productivity Overview – 2024, productivity fell by 0.2% in 2023, and output per hour continues to lag behind other G7 countries like Germany and the US.

But this isn’t a finger-pointing exercise. Employers across the UK are facing a complex mix of pressures—from recruitment challenges and hybrid working adjustments to rising costs and evolving employee expectations. Amidst this landscape, one area of growing importance is also one of the most human: employee wellbeing.

Supporting your staff’s physical, mental, and emotional health isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s also a proven driver of productivity. A 2024 study by Vitality and RAND Europe found that poor employee health is costing the UK economy a staggering £138 billion annually, largely due to absenteeism, presenteeism (being at work but not fully productive), and staff turnover.

The good news? Many solutions are within reach, cost-effective, and highly impactful. Here’s how employers can harness wellbeing to unlock productivity:

1. Promote Healthy Eating & Daily Energy

Encouraging a balanced diet at work can make a surprising difference. Nutrient-dense, high-fibre foods like fruit and vegetables help regulate blood sugar levels, supporting steady energy and mental focus throughout the day.

Even the “five-a-day” message—while now familiar—remains a useful benchmark. A colourful mix of fruits and vegetables offers vitamins (like C and folate), minerals (like potassium), and antioxidants that support immunity, digestion, and mood.

Processed food, on the other hand, can be more expensive per nutrient and often lacks the fibre and nutrients that fuel sustained performance. Promoting access to healthy food—whether via snack stations, fruit boxes, or supportive messaging—helps staff feel energised, not sluggish.

2. Support Mental Health in Meaningful Ways

Mental health concerns are a growing issue in UK workplaces. According to Mind – Workplace mental health statistics, one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year—and 63% of UK workers in 2023 reported experiencing stress, burnout, or anxiety related to work.

Creating a psychologically safe culture—where people feel able to speak openly, ask for help, and access support—is a powerful way to retain staff and reduce performance dips.

• Train line managers in mental health awareness
• Offer flexible working or mental health days
• Provide access to confidential counselling or signposting

3. Encourage Movement and Regular Breaks

Encouraging movement throughout the day isn’t just good for physical health—it’s also been linked to improved brain function, creativity, and mood. Studies from Public Health England – Health in the Workplace, 2019 suggest even short bouts of walking or stretching during the workday can reduce fatigue and increase alertness.

Creating a culture that values breaks—not just tolerates them—can go a long way. Think about promoting walking meetings, active lunch breaks, or even stretching reminders during long video calls.

4. Don’t Overlook Financial Wellbeing

Money worries remain one of the top stressors for UK employees, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living pressures. According to PwC UK – Financial Wellbeing Survey 2024, 47% of UK employees say money concerns impact their productivity and sleep.

Employers can support staff by:

• Offering salary advance schemes or hardship funds
• Providing budgeting tools or financial education workshops
• Signposting to debt advice services

Even small efforts show your organisation cares about the wider lives of your team.

5. Build a Flexible, Compassionate Culture

There’s no one-size-fits-all workplace anymore. Supporting individual circumstances—whether around health, caring responsibilities, or neurodivergence—can unlock talent and commitment. Employers who embrace flexible working, compassionate policies, and transparent communication are better positioned to retain and motivate staff. Research by Deloittes shows wellbeing initiatives can return up to £4 for every £1 invested, through reduced absence, improved performance, and higher retention.

How to boost productivity in your company…

The UK’s productivity gap may be complex—but part of the solution is refreshingly human. When people feel healthier, more secure, and more valued, they perform at their best.

By focusing on food, movement, mental health, and financial wellbeing, employers don’t just tick a box—they create workplaces where people can thrive. And when people thrive, productivity follows.

At Workplace Health MOT, we’re here to help employers put these practices into action—practically, compassionately, and in a way that suits your team.

Let’s work together to build healthier, happier, more productive workplaces across the UK – because prevention is better than cure. Let’s sort it before it becomes a problem.