Fit for work, fit for life: Health support at every stage

Everyone knows equipment downtime costs money. But when it’s your people who are out – from young starters with injuries to experienced workers with ongoing issues – the whole job can grind to a halt. Supporting health at every stage isn’t just caring for your team. It keeps work on schedule and protects your margins.

By helping people stay healthy throughout their working life, you keep experienced staff on site longer. You reduce costly delays and build loyalty that’s hard to buy.

Why it matters

Construction workers face health challenges that are often hidden until it’s too late. In 2023–24, over 14,000 UK construction workers reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety [1]. Musculoskeletal injuries affected hundreds of thousands more across industries, leading to millions of lost workdays [2]. Older workers, who bring vital skills and leadership, are more likely to struggle with chronic joint issues or health conditions that can push them off site sooner than planned.

At the same time, many workers, especially in male-dominated site environments, avoid seeking help. Worries about stigma or not wanting to “make a fuss” often lead to minor problems turning into long absences.

Supporting health at every stage

Your workforce isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different life stages bring different pressures. Supporting them properly is a practical way to keep your projects on track.

Early career

Younger team members often face strains and injuries as they learn site skills and build strength for physically demanding work. Without early treatment, these issues can lead to longer-term problems that push them off site. Thanks to the ECIS Private Medical Insurance (PMI) scheme, workers don’t have to wait months to see a physio. They can identify strains early, return to site faster, and prevent more significant problems later.

Stress, anxiety and burnout are hard for younger workers to talk about, especially in male-heavy teams. The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides a safe and confidential way for employees to seek help at any time, without involving their supervisor or waiting for a GP appointment. It proves from day one that their health comes first.

Mid-career

In their 30s and 40s, many workers manage demanding site roles alongside family responsibilities, childcare, and financial commitments. They’re often “time poor”, with little space in the day to navigate health systems or wait for appointments.

The ECIS scheme makes it easy to get support without hassle or long delays. Workers can access mental health services and counselling through the included EAP quickly and confidentially, at a time that suits them, day or night.

Specialist consultations for family planning or reproductive health are also available, without the lengthy referral chains that deter busy individuals from seeking help.

At this stage, minor aches and injuries also start to appear. With fast-track physiotherapy and treatment access, workers can sort issues before they escalate, without needing to book time off or wait months for appointments.

By making support easy to reach and quick to use, the scheme helps mid-career workers stay focused on site and at home without sacrificing their health.

Later career

Older workers often have the most practical experience on site. But they also face joint pain, menopause symptoms, or prostate problems that can keep them off work. Long NHS waits don’t help – they can make these issues worse and push good people out of the workforce too soon.

The ECIS PMI scheme offers fast-track access to specialist consultations for these common later-life issues, allowing workers to get the advice and treatment they need quickly and discreetly.

The included EAP also helps manage the mental impact of ageing at work. Worries about being “past it” or fear of not keeping up can take a real toll on confidence. Having a trusted place to talk through these concerns makes a real difference, keeping valuable team members steady and feeling supported.

Across all ages

Many workers, from the newest to the most experienced, avoid asking for help. Fast, private support means they can sort problems early and stay on the job.

Strength in Numbers

A common concern for business owners is cost, especially for older workers or those who have made claims. Thanks to ECIS’s group approach, costs are pooled across a wide range of businesses. This “Strength in Numbers” model helps protect you from sharp premium increases and makes it easier to support your whole workforce confidently.

Why ECIS?

ECIS understands the specific pressures of the construction sector – from common musculoskeletal injuries to life stage health needs and the realities of time-poor workers. With practical, straightforward benefits designed to help keep people on site and projects moving, the scheme offers more than cover; it’s a partner in building a stronger business.

Why usage matters

PMI is no good if your team doesn’t know what’s covered or how to use it. Reminding them isn’t just ticking a box – it keeps jobs on track and stops avoidable delays. Encourage usage by:

• Sharing clear, simple information on what’s covered.
• Including reminders in toolbox talks or briefings.
• Highlighting real (anonymised) examples to show how it helps in practice.

When workers actually use these benefits, you see fewer delays, steadier attendance, and fewer people turning up when they’re not fit to work. Over time, it builds a more reliable and committed team.

Fit for work, fit for life

Looking after your team’s health at every stage isn’t a luxury; it's a necessity. It’s a practical foundation for keeping projects moving and protecting your margins. By helping people stay fit for work and life, you reduce the risk of costly downtime and show you value every worker, whatever their age or role.

The ECIS Private Medical Insurance scheme, which includes the Employee Assistance Programme, helps you do just that.

Find out how ECIS can help keep your projects moving and support every member of your team to stay strong.

Find out more at https://ecins.co.uk or contact ecis@ecins.co.uk.

References

[1] HSE Work-related Stress, Depression or Anxiety Statistics, 2023–24. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.pdf

[2] HSE Musculoskeletal Disorders Statistics, 2023–24. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/musculoskeletal-disorders.pdf