Keep your workforce healthy and productive this Christmas and into the New Year

The festive season is here and many businesses are gearing up for end-of-year celebrations and setting their business goals for the New Year!  For SMEs, this is also an ideal time to reflect on how to keep your workforce healthy, motivated, and ready to thrive in 2025.

Small and medium-sized enterprises employ over 60% of the workforce. Yet, as smaller teams with tighter budgets, SMEs can feel the strain of employee absence more acutely, particularly during this busy period. Seasonal illnesses, stress, and end-of-year fatigue can hit productivity hard—but this is where Occupational Health can make all the difference.  

The festive case for Occupational Health

December can be a tricky time for SMEs. Work-related stress often peaks as employees juggle professional deadlines with personal responsibilities. In fact, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that stress, anxiety, and depression are some of the leading causes of workplace absence, contributing to 17 million lost working days annually. In addition to festive get-togethers and colder weather, winter illnesses also become more prevalent.

The season also brings financial pressures, meaning that prioritising employee wellbeing is more important than ever. By investing in OH, SMEs can not only keep their teams healthy through the festive season but also set the tone for a productive and successful New Year.

New Year, new opportunities with Medigold Health Protect

Start 2025 on the right foot with Medigold Health’s Protect Service—a tailored OH solution designed specifically for SMEs. Whether you’re looking to reduce absences, support mental wellbeing, or ensure legal compliance, Protect has you covered with a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Health questionnaires for new starters: Kick off the New Year with confidence by ensuring new hires are fit and ready for their roles.
• Thrive App: Help your workforce manage seasonal stress and emotional wellbeing with this NHS-approved mental health app, accessible to all employees.
• Annual calendar of health and wellbeing events: Plan your 2025 employee engagement strategy with a pre-prepared schedule of health campaigns, tailored to support your team’s wellbeing all year round.
• Library of resources: From on-demand webinars to articles and practical links, give your team access to tools that promote self-care and healthy habits.
• OH referrals: Sickness and absence management services ensure your team members can recover and return to work swiftly and safely.
• GP and specialist reports: Address complex medical issues with professional insights, giving you clarity and confidence in decision-making.
• Ad hoc support: Get quick, expert advice from Medigold Health’s OH professionals to navigate workplace health challenges anytime.

Why choose Medigold Health Protect this December?

As you wind down for Christmas and prepare for a fresh start, investing in your team’s health and wellbeing sends a clear message: your people matter. Medigold Health’s Protect Service provides SMEs with cost-effective, expert support to minimise seasonal disruptions, reduce absences, and boost morale during a traditionally challenging time.