Do you know what the health crisis among Polish employees actually looks like and the real costs it generates for your company? Are you aware that these alarming trends are affecting increasingly younger specialists? Most importantly — do you know how to reverse this dangerous trend, and are you building internal strength within your team instead of waiting for these issues to compromise productivity?
The following article provides an overview of the key takeaways from the “HR Breakfast” business meeting organized by Medicover Healthy Company, themed: “Organizational Strength Begins with Health.” The meeting aimed to address one of the most critical challenges facing modern organizations—the physical and mental health of employees. During the event, the latest data from the Medicover report was presented, followed by a practical workshop session focused on building internal strength and energy. Below, we share our findings.
1. Employees in a health crisis: How HR can reverse a dangerous trend
During the meeting, Paweł Żochowski, Director of the Business Services Division at Medicover, presented objective data confirming that health trends are reaching a dangerous tipping point, indicating a health crisis within the workforce.
Physical health
The data regarding young employees (in their 20s) is particularly concerning: nearly 50% are overweight or obese, and close to 30% have abnormal cholesterol levels. In older age groups (e.g., 60+), nearly 50% suffer from hypertension.
Lifestyle remains a major risk factor. As many as 66% of employees do not engage in regular physical activity according to recommendations, and nearly 50% eat sporadically, failing to meet the recommended 4–5 meals a day.
The mental health crisis
The state of mental wellbeing is alarming, with a significant surge in issues recorded in 2024 compared to 2020:
- The number of employees diagnosed with depressive episodes rose by nearly 30%, with associated sick leave days increasing by 31%.
- Anxiety disorder diagnoses increased by 35%, resulting in a nearly 100% spike in sick leave days.
- Adjustment disorders and reactions to severe stress saw a 33% increase in diagnoses and a 65% increase in sick leave days.
- Nearly 60% of employees (and over 70% of women) experience distress (negative stress). High stress levels are reported especially by young adults (ages 25–44) and manual or shift workers.
Neglecting health translates directly into financial losses. A typical employee who seeks treatment outside an effective preventative system generates absenteeism costs of approximately 3,000 PLN per year for the employer.
To reverse this trend, a comprehensive and holistic approach to health is essential—aligning with the WHO definition that encompasses physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Notably, 40% of health outcomes are influenced by socio-economic factors such as work, family support, and income.
- Diagnosis and Targeted Action: Activities should be based on a population health diagnosis to plan targeted and measurable preventive measures.
- Measurable ROI: Investing in health pays off. Research programs prove that targeted physical activity (e.g., for sedentary, overweight individuals) improves physical fitness by 70% and, crucially, reduces sick leave by 32% within the study group.
- The Role of HR: The HR department must play a pivotal role in designing initiatives, selecting metrics, and supporting internal communication regarding wellbeing policies.
2. Building internal strength and energy: the power of habits and potential
Internal strength begins with a shift in perspective and the utilization of one’s own resources. The second part of the meeting, led by Maciej Sandomierski, a psychologist at Mindhealth, was a practical workshop focused on applied psychology rather than theory.
The “Self” as the center of life
The presentation encouraged a complete shift in mindset: I am responsible for my life, I influence my life, and I have the power to change everything. Everything that surrounds us (partners, family, work, duties, emotions, random events) constitutes “my life,” but change begins and ends within.
This perspective applies to all spheres:
- Random Events: While you cannot change the event itself, prevention (choosing “the good”) allows you to eliminate over 60% of negative occurrences. In the face of tragedy, the final word belongs to you—you decide how to proceed.
- Emotions and People: Emotions are natural chemical reactions, but you decide how to act on them. You cannot change others, but you can influence them through your behavior and by setting boundaries.
- Duties: Whether you perform a task with resignation or engagement depends entirely on you.
Quality of action: “To the best of my ability”
The key to high internal functioning is the quality of task execution. We should do everything “To the best of my ability.” This approach is vital because:
- It removes the pressure of perfectionism, which is a “culturally created barrier to success.”
- Acting “to the best of one’s ability” should always align with general human goodness (respect, tolerance, helpfulness).
- Everyone is the ultimate judge of their own “best.” Because emotions and energy fluctuate, what constitutes your “best” changes every minute and every second.
When to act: here and now
Action should take place in the “here and now.” Life isn’t a constant “always”; who we are is defined solely by the present moment. Focusing on the present allows one to shed the burden of the past and the worries of the future. This is about a conscious, intentional change in functioning that eventually becomes automatic—much like learning to ride a bike; it requires training initially but becomes effortless over time.
The strength of potentials and power
In practical psychology, there are no “weaknesses”—only gray areas you haven’t worked on or talents you don’t possess (which you can leave to others). Focus on your strengths (resources), such as self-worth, self-esteem, confidence, and courage, which can be trained through daily practice.
Reaching out for help (to specialists, therapists, or HR) is a sign of true readiness and courage, not weakness. By seeking help, you are actually “going for power.”
Don’t wait for a crisis to hit your team or yourself. Start acting holistically. Remember that high internal functioning guarantees high performance in both work and life.
Link to Medicover Report: Work. Health. Economy. 2025 Perspective
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