Two-thirds of men have continued working despite believing they should seek medical advice for a health issue or take time off to recover, according to new research from not-for-profit healthcare provider Benenden Health.
The research, conducted among 2,000 working men aged 30-55 across the UK, highlights a significant workforce wellbeing challenge, with many men delaying, downplaying or deprioritising health concerns until a major “wake-up call” forces them to take action.
The issue of “health ostriching” appears to be rife, as more than two-thirds (69%) of men surveyed admitted they have ignored symptoms or health concerns they were worried about, while more than a quarter (27%) said they had done this on more than one occasion.
Work pressures are cited as a key reason for delaying – nearly a quarter (23%) of men doing this said they were too busy with work, while one in five (20%) said they “didn’t want to make a fuss”.
Separate research among workplace HR decision-makers2 suggests employers are already seeing the impact of these behaviours within their workforce.
More than four in five (84%) HR leaders agreed that male employees are less likely than their female counterparts to discuss health concerns at work, while 86% said they had experienced situations where a male employee avoided seeking support until a health issue negatively affected their work.
Despite widespread recognition of the issue in UK workplaces, just 36% of organisations said they currently offer targeted men’s health initiatives.
The findings build on wider concerns highlighted in the Government’s Men’s Health Strategy, which found that more than half of men have avoided seeking medical help for a health concern in recent years.
This is coupled with data from Benenden Health’s member community, of which 46% are men, showing they are significantly less likely than women to engage with key health services (24% of usage compared to 76%, respectively) , including health coaching, GP services and mental health support.
Many men also admitted they delay seeking support because they believe health issues will simply resolve themselves. Two fifths (40%) of those who delayed seeking help said they hoped the issue would just disappear.
Yet, two-thirds (66%) of men have in fact experienced a bigger health-related “wake-up call” that made them think more seriously.
Benenden Health says the findings highlight an opportunity for employers to take a more proactive and tailored approach to supporting men’s health before issues escalate, helping employees access support earlier and reducing the risk of longer-term health problems affecting wellbeing, productivity and performance.
Employers are being encouraged to:
- Normalise conversations around all aspects of men’s health
- Promote access to preventative services and tailor certain initiatives for male staff
- Support employees at key “wake-up call” moments
Benenden Health provides a range of men’s health support designed to remove barriers and encourage earlier action – including 24/7 GP access, mental health helplines, dedicated health coaching and access to health advice via its online hub.
“The workplace has an important role to play in helping men feel more comfortable prioritising their health and seeking support earlier.
“While it’s encouraging that many employers recognise the importance of employee wellbeing, our research suggests there is still a gap when it comes to targeted support for men’s health specifically.
Many men are continuing to work through health concerns or delaying conversations until issues begin affecting their wellbeing, productivity and performance at work. That can have a serious impact not only on individuals, but on teams and businesses more widely.
Creating a culture where conversations around men’s health are normalised, and where preventative support is visible and accessible, can help employers intervene earlier and better support their workforce before issues escalate.”
Dr Amy Pressland, Head of Talent & Performance at Benenden Health
As the UK looks to address the challenges set out in the Men’s Health Strategy, Benenden Health is calling on men and employers alike to move from reactive to preventative health behaviours – before the next wake-up call comes too late.
For more information about Benenden Health’s The Wake-Up Call campaign, visit www.benenden.co.uk/wake-up-call.
