Workplace health checks are a practical way for organisations to encourage employees to take an active role in their health and wellbeing.
For employers, they can also provide an opportunity to support prevention and identify potential health risks before they become bigger concerns. By bringing health checks into the workplace, employees can access important health assessments in a familiar and convenient environment, without needing to take time out of their working day to attend a separate appointment. But what actually happens during a workplace health check? From basic health measurements to lifestyle factors and health education, a workplace health check can provide employees with a useful snapshot of their current health, while giving employers an opportunity to strengthen their broader workplace wellbeing strategy.
What does a workplace health check include?
A workplace health check can look at a range of factors that contribute to overall health. The exact assessments can be tailored to suit the needs of your organisation and workforce.
Depending on the program, health checks may include:
- Blood pressure: Checking blood pressure can help identify potential cardiovascular health risks.
- Blood glucose: A blood glucose assessment can provide an indication of blood sugar levels and potential health risks.
- Cholesterol: Cholesterol testing can help identify risk factors associated with cardiovascular health.
- Lifestyle assessment: Employees can discuss factors such as physical activity, nutrition, smoking and other lifestyle behaviours.
- Cancer awareness: Health education can help employees understand risk factors and the importance of appropriate screening.
- Health education and guidance: Employees can receive information and practical guidance relevant to their individual health.
These assessments aren’t designed to replace a regular appointment with a GP. Instead, they can help employees become more aware of their health and encourage them to seek appropriate follow-up care when needed.
Why bring health checks into the workplace?
One of the biggest benefits of workplace health checks is accessibility.
Employees are busy, and making time for health appointments isn’t always easy. Offering health checks at work can remove some of the practical barriers that may otherwise prevent people from prioritising their health. For employers, workplace health checks can also support a proactive approach to employee wellbeing.
They can help organisations:
- Encourage employees to take an active role in their health
- Increase awareness of common health risks
- Promote preventative health behaviours
- Support a culture where health and wellbeing are valued
- Identify broader health trends across the workforce
- Complement existing workplace wellbeing initiatives
Most importantly, workplace health checks aren’t about telling employees what they should or shouldn’t do. They provide information and an opportunity for individuals to make informed decisions about their own health.
What happens after a workplace health check?
A health check is only one part of the picture. The information and guidance employees receive afterwards can be just as valuable. Following their assessment, employees may receive personalised health information and recommendations based on their results. Where appropriate, they may also be encouraged to speak with their GP or another qualified healthcare professional for further assessment.
Confidentiality is an important part of the process. Individual employee health information should remain private. For employers, reporting can instead provide deidentified information that helps identify broader trends across the workforce. This distinction allows organisations to understand the health needs of their workforce without accessing individual clinical information. It can also help employers consider whether additional workplace health initiatives could be beneficial.
Making workplace health part of your wellbeing strategy
A workplace health check doesn’t need to be a standalone initiative. It can form part of a broader approach to employee health and wellbeing. For example, an organisation might combine workplace health checks with other initiatives such as vaccination programs, skin checks, health education or broader corporate wellness activities. Taking a more proactive approach can help make health and wellbeing an ongoing part of workplace culture rather than something employees only think about when they become unwell. Every workforce is different, so the most effective approach will depend on your organisation’s people, workplace environment and priorities. A tailored program can help ensure you’re providing services that are relevant and accessible to your employees.
Make workplace health a priority
Workplace health checks provide a convenient way to bring preventative health and education directly to employees. They can help individuals better understand their health while supporting employers to build a stronger culture of wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to introduce workplace health checks for the first time or build on an existing wellbeing strategy, the right program can be tailored to suit your organisation. Ready to support a healthier workforce? Talk to HCA Corporate Health about how we can tailor workplace health checks and corporate health services to your organisation.
