Prior to opening my own reflexology treatment room I was employed by a Health & Safety consultancy and training company, as a Finance Manager for 13 years and also a Reflexologist for 4 years; delivering reflexology treatments to businesses and private clients to support wellbeing.
During my time there I noticed how workplace wellbeing became a much more acknowledged topic. Business clients appeared to become increasingly pro-active, introducing wellbeing initiatives in the workplace, particularly in relation to the management of work-related stress.
Along with a genuine concern for workforce wellbeing and wish to support the health of employees, I understand how company owners and managers also have to consider budgets, financial restrictions and productivity.
Having worn both hats simultaneously, I see workplace wellbeing initiatives as a wise investment; they can improve motivation, feelings of appreciation and potentially boost productivity and reduce absenteeism.
The link below is to an extract of a study to determine the effects of reflexology on symptom-related use of health services and work-related productivity. In this study, reflexology was home-based and the participants were women with breast cancer. The study concluded that “The reflexology intervention delivered by lay caregivers reduced hospital visits and increased workplace activity in a short-term period, which has potential for cost saving for health care systems and employers”
Although the purpose of the project was to establish potential cost savings for organisations, the reduced rates of absenteeism and presenteeism reported would suggest the wellbeing benefits were also experienced by the participants of the group receiving reflexology.
Luo Zhehui; Wang Liang; Sikorskii Alla; Wyatt Gwen
Support Care Cancer 2019 8 27 2837-2847