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EY held their first ‘Health and Wellbeing month’, which included a range of activities and talks to address health issues that typically affect office workers. “When you work in an office all day, for five days a week, it’s easy to spend time snacking on comfort foods, particularly during the winter months. As well as that, when you work so hard, often the last thing you feel like doing is exercise –particularly when it’s cold and dark outside! The EY Health & Wellbeing month was designed to address some of these issues,” said Laura Davidson, EY Assurance Associate, who helped organise the health & wellbeing events.
During the month, healthy snacks were provided in EY offices across the Channel Islands, in place of sweets on a Friday. In Jersey, some of the initiatives included natural smoothies supplied by a local juice bar, a healthy breakfast club was set up with a variety of nutritious food and a dietician presented to employees interested in learning more about the importance of combining a good diet with a busy lifestyle.
In Guernsey, employees were able to learn more about nutrition and reflexology from external experts and were encouraged to take part in organized physical activities such as squash and badminton. Yoga, massage, reflexology and pilates sessions were also available to employees and held at the office after work.
Across the offices, local chiropractic centres provided ergonomic desk assessments and massage, whilst a health clinic offered acupuncture and an instructor delivered yoga sessions. Employees were also able to listen to an external presenter on stress management and its importance to their overall wellbeing.
"We received excellent feedback from everyone involved," said Andrew Dann, Managing Partner of EY in the Channel Islands. "It's important for businesses to engage in looking after the health and wellbeing of their employees, particularly because office work is sedentary by its nature. There is no doubt that healthy people make for a more dynamic and responsive working environment.
"Given the success of this first health and wellbeing month, I'm sure we will be able to make the next one even better."
