Employees should be encouraged to lead healthy lives through workplace initiatives, Canada Life has said.
According to Paul Avis, sales and marketing director at Canada Life, increasing workloads to cover shrinking workforces and fears about job security have been increasing pressure on workers.
Canada Life research showed one in five employees wanted the option of a healthy living club through the workplace.
Avis said: "Physical health is often overlooked and yet being in good shape can have a beneficial impact on the morale and self-esteem of individuals, which in turn can help improve employers' productivity.
"Being active can have both physical and mental benefits - regular exercise can not only help in boosting morale but can also improve concentration."
Membership organisation The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has run more than 200 events across the UK today for its Work Out Work Day. The initiative aims to engage employers and employees to engage in physical activity at work.
