Health problems are affecting increasingly younger workers. What can companies do?
Health problems among Estonia's working-age population now start as early as their thirties and deepen throughout their working life. Mental health issues, too, have been on the rise in recent years. Employers see themselves as playing a major role in addressing this serious situation.
The most common health problems among Estonia’s working-age population (ages 20–64) are cardiovascular conditions: high blood pressure and cholesterol, being overweight, and coronary artery blockages. According to Meliva occupational health physician Toomas Põld, employee mental health problems — stress, anxiety, burnout, and sleep disorders — have increased in recent years. Many workers are also troubled by back, neck, and joint pain, often caused by sedentary work or physical overload.
According to Dr Põld, health problems in men can start appearing as early as their thirties. “Declining health first shows up as reduced work capacity, fatigue, and mental health issues, and only later develops into chronic disease,” said Dr Põld. He notes that many people don’t see a doctor in time, or don’t prioritise their health until problems become serious.
Even small steps count
While the main responsibility for one’s own health lies with the individual, more and more employers are taking it upon themselves to help prevent bigger problems by encouraging regular occupational health check-ups. Over 160,000 people a year use the option to see an occupational health physician on company time and at the employer’s expense. “Investing in our employees’ health and wellbeing is a natural part of our culture, and we believe that when employees’ wellbeing is looked after, it shows up in better work results too,” explained Kaspar Kreek, occupational health, safety, and environment manager at technology company ABB.
According to Kreek, there’s still more that can be done to invest in employee health — whether through offering comprehensive health insurance covering both family medicine and specialist care, examinations, psychological counselling, and dental care, or through creating an ergonomic work environment by providing employees with the support tools they need, from specialised insoles to ergonomic mice and armrests for office staff. Kreek stresses that the more accessible preventive and restorative services are, the more actively employees use them. “A good illustration of this is our on-site vaccination events, which see very active participation precisely because they’re organised right at the workplace,” Kreek said.
Regular physical activity also has a major impact on preventing more serious health problems. “We support employees’ movement habits and team spirit, and alongside active exercise, prevention and recovery play an important role too. For example, a massage therapist comes into the company twice a week — using the service on-site is especially convenient, so a recommendation from the occupational health physician doesn’t just stay on paper,” Kreek added.
An opportunity to offer mental health support
Companies increasingly see their role in supporting employees’ mental health. Katrin Meos, workplace wellbeing lead at Swedbank, stressed that the first priority should be ensuring working conditions that support satisfaction and balance. “It’s important for employees to have clear goals, flexibility in how their work is organised, and a manager who is supportive and understanding. We also consider it important to build people’s awareness and coping skills for different situations. We’re convinced that happy, satisfied employees are the foundation of every organisation’s success,” Meos explained.
Both ABB and Swedbank hold regular seminars sharing practical tips with employees on looking after their mental health. Both companies also offer faster access to a psychologist or therapist through health insurance. “No one should be left alone with a difficult situation,” Meos stressed.
More is needed from the state
According to the companies, the state could also do more to invest in the health of the working-age population. Today, companies invest an average of €40 per employee per year in health check-ups, and 10% of employers also offer employees health insurance, costing around €350 per employee per year. According to the ABB representative, the tax-free health benefit cap currently in force in Estonia — €400 per employee per year — is clearly limiting.
“At ABB, we use up this limit in full and pay fringe-benefit tax on anything above it. We believe that greater flexibility and a higher cap would let us, and many other companies, invest even more in our employees’ health, thereby easing the pressure on the public healthcare system,” said Kreek.
The Swedbank representative also noted a growing number of situations where, in designing solutions for employees, the tax-free cap turns out to be the biggest limiting factor. “It’s reasonable to assume that every euro invested in employee health could return roughly two to four euros. That’s definitely something worth considering for decision-makers,” said Katrin Meos, Swedbank’s workplace wellbeing lead.
Company representatives stress that the more accessible preventive and restorative health services are, the more actively employees use them — which in turn helps sustain employees’ ability to work over the long term, reduces sick days, and contributes more to the Estonian economy.
7 tips for improving your own health
To help everyone improve their own health and prevent bigger health problems, Meliva occupational health physician Toomas Põld offers seven recommendations:
- Move regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity a day (e.g. walking, cycling, swimming).
- Eat a varied, balanced diet. Cut back on sugar, salt, and processed foods, and eat more vegetables and fruit.
- Look after your mental health. Rest enough, limit overworking, learn to manage stress, and use counselling services if needed.
- Avoid harmful habits. Smoking, excessive alcohol, and lack of sleep damage work capacity over the long term.
- Pay attention to workplace ergonomics. Correct posture, movement breaks, and suitable equipment help prevent muscle and joint problems.
- Get regular health check-ups. An occupational health physician or family doctor can catch problems before they become serious.
- Create balance between work and personal life. This matters for both mental and physical health.
