Sharing the health

Owners of small firms are keeping up with big businesses by encouraging their workers to lead healthy lifestyles a report concludes. According to research from Standard Life Healthcare, half of small business owners encourage their employees to stay healthy, thereby ensuring fewer days off and improving staff loyalty. More than three-quarters believe that companies should be directly involved in their staff's welfare. Seventy-five per cent of employees reported that they would find it more attractive to work for a firm that supported staff health and welfare.