Every year on April 7, the world marks World Health Day, a global initiative led by the World Health Organisation to draw attention to key health issues. This year’s theme, “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”, speaks powerfully to the heart of inclusive and equitable workplaces especially in today’s ever-evolving work environment.
SleekHR is a DEI-focused boutique HR company serving UK small businesses, we know that health equity is a workplace issue. You can’t build an inclusive, thriving company culture without addressing physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing—especially for employees from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds who often face additional health disparities.
Why Should Small Businesses Care?
The UK is currently grappling with several health-related challenges that directly affect workforces:
- Long NHS waiting times and difficulty accessing GPs
- The growing cost of living crisis affecting nutrition and mental health
- Persistent stigma around mental health, especially in underserved communities
- Increased reports of work-related stress and burnout
- Health inequalities related to race, gender, disability, and socioeconomic background
All of these impact productivity, morale, absenteeism, and staff retention especially in small teams where every person matters.
What Are Employees Asking in the UK?
UK employees are becoming more vocal about their health-related concerns. Some common questions HR teams are now fielding include:
- “Can I take a mental health day?”
- “How can I access support for menopause symptoms?”
- “What wellbeing benefits do we have aside from EAP?”
- “How does the company support neurodiverse employees or those with chronic illnesses?”
- “Is our health policy inclusive of LGBTQ+ healthcare needs?”
If you’ve heard any of these in your workplace, it’s a signal to act—not just for compliance, but for culture.
What HR Teams Can Do This World Health Day
Whether you’re an HR leader, founder, or people manager, here are practical actions to make World Health Day meaningful in your business:
1. Host a Health & Wellbeing Check-In
Create a safe space for employees to talk about their health needs and concerns. Use anonymous surveys or small listening sessions to hear what’s affecting them.
2. Update Your Health & Wellbeing Policy
Ensure it reflects modern needs—mental health days, menopause support, gender-affirming care, chronic condition flexibility, etc.
3. Offer a DEI-Informed Wellness Workshop
Partner with inclusive health practitioners (e.g., Black therapists, LGBTQ+ health coaches) to run sessions on stress, burnout, nutrition, or movement.
4. Highlight Available Resources
Make sure your team knows how to access the support you already provide—EAPs, mental health first aiders, private GP apps, etc.
5. Celebrate Holistic Health
Consider fun team activities like a wellness challenge, virtual yoga, or lunch-and-learns on topics like sleep, grief, or financial wellbeing.
6. Review Your Benefits Through a DEI Lens
Are your health benefits truly accessible and inclusive? If not, this is a great time to rethink and reframe.
Remember:
Health is a human right. It’s also a business advantage.
Small businesses that centre their people’s wellbeing, especially with a DEI lens, create workplaces where everyone can show up, feel safe, and do their best work.
Need help creating a health-inclusive HR strategy for your small business?
We’re here to support you.
Contact us today: hello@sleekhr.co.uk | +44(0)3301336377 | www.sleekhr.co.uk
