Gen Z want managers to talk about health more

Additionally, 70% of adults who are in work agree that their employer or manager should be trained. 

The report, ‘What are you talking about?’, argues that everyday conversations play a vital role in encouraging people to make positive behaviour changes such as exercising more, stopping smoking, and drinking less, as well as signposting to further support on issues like mental health

Polling of nearly 2,000 adults found that across a range of settings where the public and staff are regularly talking, a majority of Brits would like to see more training to promote physical and mental wellbeing.

The report calls for the widespread roll out of the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach across everyday settings including schools, workplaces, gyms and care homes.  

The MECC approach trains staff to have short and informal conversations about health-related topics with the aim of prompting behaviour and lifestyle changes. 

It argues that employers and managers could be trained to spot warning signs early on and influence small behaviour changes in employees, with the aim of improving the overall health of the UK as it struggles with a workforce health crisis.

Over 10% of working-age people report signs of poor mental health, with the greatest increase for people of younger ages (16–34 years).

According to the Workforce Institute, managers have a greater impact on their employee’s mental health than a doctor or therapist. 

Previous RSPH analysis has shown that 13 million people work for employers where managers aren’t given training in how to promote health and wellbeing.

RSPH has previously called for mandatory national Health and Work Standard, setting a minimum level of support which all UK employees should be entitled to. 

Simon Dixon, head of policy and public affairs, Royal Society for Public Health, commented, “Everyday conversations at work have the potential to have a major impact on employee wellbeing if they evolved to include health.

"We lose 185 million working days every year due to poor health, and millions of working people aren’t getting the health support they need from their employer. With the right interventions in place, we can stop people from getting ill in the first place and reduce ill health in the workforce.

"Early interventions like MECC that encourage people to make healthy behaviour changes can help us move towards a more healthy and productive society.”