1 in 10 employees suffer workplace injuries: what can employers do to help?

MetLife recently ran a survey, and the results are shocking! More than 1 in 10 employees took a whole month off work in the past year because of an injury, with 24% taking up to three weeks off.

The impact of these absences isn’t just on the injured employees but also on businesses. So, what can employers do to reduce the risk of injuries and better support their teams?

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Table of Contents hide

1 The cost of injuries in the workplace
2 5 steps employers can take to reduce injury risks
3 Employers have a vital role to play

The cost of injuries in the workplace

Metlife’s survey found that 22% of employees weren’t paid during their time off, and 20% only received partial pay. This often left employees relying on savings, credit cards, or even borrowing money to get by. Worryingly, 8% admitted they might miss bill payments during recovery.

Employers with better prevention and support measures can make a huge difference to their employees’ lives and even their bottom line.

The ripple effect of injured employees include reduced productivity and increased strain on other team members. In fact, the HSE estimates that work-induced injury and ill health costs UK businesses £21.6bn every year!

MetLife’s survey reveals how common injuries are and that addressing workplace injuries is not just the right thing to do, but also the smart thing too.

5 steps employers can take to reduce injury risks

If you’re running a business and concerned about these results, you can take a few steps to reduce injury risks and help your employees recover.

1. Focus on workspace ergonomics

A lot of injuries come down to poor desk setups—think chairs that don’t support your back or screens at the wrong height. Preventing these issues is easier than you think:

Provide ergonomic furniture like adjustable chairs and standing desks.
Check workspaces regularly to make sure they’re safe and comfortable.
Offer training on proper posture and workstation set-ups.

2. Ensure health and safety policies are up-to-date

Health and safety policies are a legal requirement and must be written down if you have 5 or more employees. It’s important that employers keep them up-to-date and relevant to the business and staff duties.

For example, in industries where heavy lifting is common, you should ensure everyone has the necessary training for the full range of duties they perform.

The Health and Safety Executive has guidance for creating a health and safety policy.

3. Offer access to physio services

Quick access to physiotherapy significantly reduces recovery times, helping employees return to work sooner. Yet, only 7% of survey respondents had accident and sickness cover, and just 6% had income protection, leaving many without help to pay for recovery. Employers should consider the following:

Adding physiotherapy to employee benefits or health plans.
Partnering with local physio providers for quicker access and discounted services.
Making sure staff know what’s covered and how to use services

4. Encourage walk-and-talk meetings

Sitting for too long can lead to aches, pains, and more serious injuries over time. But how can you encourage movement in the workplace?

Suggest “walk and talk” meetings instead of sitting at desks all day.
Encourage regular breaks to stretch or move around.
Create a culture that values staying active during the workday.
If smokers can have cigarette breaks, then consider normalising “stretch” breaks!

Simple initiatives like walk-and-talk meetings or encouraging regular breaks can:

Improve circulation and reduce muscle strain.
Promote mental health and boost creativity.
Build a culture of wellness in the workplace.

5. Have the right health and protection policies in place

MetLife’s survey found that only a small percentage of employees had income protection or accident and sickness cover. This is why it’s important for employers to offer comprehensive health and protection benefits. Consider options such as:

Income Protection: Provides employees with financial security during extended absences.
Cash Plans: Cover everyday healthcare costs, including physio and diagnostic tests.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Offer mental health and financial advice.
Group Health Insurance: Providing quick access to GPs and private treatments for a wide range of medical conditions.

Employers have a vital role to play

Rich Horner, Head of Individual Protection at MetLife, sums it up perfectly: “Accidents happen and they’re common, but our research shows us we’re not always prepared for when they do.”

Employers can play a vital role in reducing the risks and supporting their staff if something does happen.

Employers can create safer, more supportive work environments by focusing on prevention. At the same time, having the right health and protection plans in place can help staff recover sooner and have financial support in place, if accidents do happen.

If you want to enhance your employee benefits to better tackle workplace injuries and ill-health, Hooray Health & Protection is here to help. Our award-winning team compares policies from across the market to ensure you have the most cost-effective options available.

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