From Cafés to Corporates: How workplace environments shape our wellbeing

Written by Natasha Veeriovka, Registered Associate Nutritionist (ANutr)

The UK government’s ‘Fit for the Future’: 10-Year Health Plan for England recognises the urgent need to prevent illness and protect long-term health. While people are living longer, many of those extra years are spent in poor health(1). It is projected that by 2040, 1 in 5 people will be living with a major health condition, up from 1 in 6 in 2019(2) —placing a huge cost burden on the NHS.

"With 99% of the UK labour market made up of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)(3), and people spending roughly a third of their day at work(4), SMEs have a real opportunity to shape the health of a large proportion of the population."

One strategy highlighted by the plan(1) is the importance of being in “good work”, roles and environments that support both physical and mental health(1). With SMEs making up 99% of the UK workforce and people spending a third of their day at work, these businesses have a major opportunity to influence population health. Here is where HercuWise come in, they provide digital learning courses to educate managers and employees to foster healthier workplaces to support staff wellbeing.

But what does workplace wellbeing look like in practice? Drawing from my personal work experience across multiple sectors, it’s clear that our place of work - whether at home, in a café, on the shop floor, in hospitals, universities, or corporate offices - shapes not just productivity but also our health, nutrition, and overall wellbeing. Below, I share a summary of these experiences and their impact on workplace wellbeing.

Working from Home (and Cafés)

Working from home not only saves on cost of travel and eating outside of the home, it offers flexibility to work around family life, but it also presents challenges. Distractions are common - 26% of those working from home are more distracted(5). For me, my intentions to work from home through my public health placement hasn’t gone well; my daughter moved home unexpectedly so I am surrounded by boxes relegated to working from my bed, the washing machine is singing and cat has just brought in a creature. I am able to use micro-breaks to do things around the home, to cook fresh food, but also – more opportunities to snack are more readily available to me, and unless I chose to get outside for a walk, this is a pretty sedentary position.

To regain focus, I have relocated to the café at my gym. This zen environment provides a warm space, reliable Wi-Fi, fewer distractions, and the chance to fit in exercise before work. Ordering my regular oat cappuccino and porridge I plug in earphones to

listen to binaural beats allowing me to reset creatively. However, this comes at a cost - for beverages and transport.

Retail and Shift Work

Whilst studying at University, I had a part-time role as s small store shift leader, and I experienced the toll of long, irregular shifts. Despite the job being local, I drove due to unsociable hours. Meals were often quick fixes: protein shakes, meal deals, or easy ready meals after exhausting shifts.

Breaks were inconsistent and often missed, particularly for team leaders. The staff room mainly offered sugary snacks and energy drinks, which many relied on to get through the day. Unsurprisingly, this environment contributed to burnout, poor diet, and disconnection from social life.

Shift work poses unique health challenges(6): lack of breaks, disrupted sleep patterns, limited access to fresh food, and reliance on convenience items all increase the risk of ill health.

NHS and Hospital Settings

During my placement in the hospital setting, I saw both the positives and negatives of hospital environments. Many staff cycled or ran into work, and there were facilities to store and reheat food. The canteen offered cooked meals during the day, and colleagues often encouraged healthy living.

However, nurses are working long 12-hour shifts and night-shift workers face particular challenges(6): the canteen is closed, food choices shift toward snacks, and research shows night workers consume more energy-dense foods than day workers. Despite hospitals introducing healthier vending options (soups, smoothies), the cost of living makes nutritious food less accessible.

Outside of 30 minute lunch minute lunch break, there is no opportunity to take a micro-breaks to catch up on any personal admin, which from experience I have felt extraordinarily overwhelmed when the ‘to-do’ list is ever growing. This relates to the HercuWise digital course: 'Population Health in the Workplace' which discusses ‘mental load’ and how it affects our wellbeing.

University Life

University life brings its own pressures: early starts, long study days, and commutes of several hours. Packing meals and snacks helps to mitigate the cost of eating outside of the home, but evenings often end with little energy left other than to prepare for the next day, eat, sleep, study repeat!

While lunch-breaks are usually an hour and micro-breaks between lectures allow some time to catch up on life admin, the overall routine is draining. Many students now have part-time jobs to support their studies, so really, is there time off? This situation mirrors shift-working healthcare staff, who also struggle to fit in essentials like shopping or cooking due to demanding schedules.

Corporate and Hybrid Work

In contrast, corporate office environments can offer significant wellbeing benefits. In my city-based role, the workplace provides breakfast: cereals, fruit, yogurt, and regular social events allowing staff to take a break from screens. Lunch breaks are long enough to enjoy both food and a walk. Facilities include a massage chair for relaxing, whilst company benefits include health insurance, discounted gym memberships to encouraged healthy living and a bit of healthy colleague competition.

This environment not only supports physical health but also strengthened relationships and engagement at work. The results speak for themselves: I have remained with this employer since 2013, and will be sad to move on. Research shows such investments pay off, with every £1 spent on employee wellbeing yielding up to £5 in return through reduced sickness absence and improved productivity(7).

Key Takeaways

• Work environment directly impacts wellbeing. From cafés to shop floors, hospitals, and corporate offices, the physical and cultural environment shapes food choices, exercise opportunities, and stress levels.

• Shift workers face the greatest barriers. Limited breaks, irregular hours, and reduced access to healthy food make it harder to maintain good health.

• Corporate and hybrid models offer the best opportunity to support wellbeing. Access to nutritious food, exercise incentives, and work-life balance strategies improve engagement, health, and productivity.

• SMEs can change the life of many. Using HercuWise digital courses to bring wellbeing strategies into the workplace can significantly improve staff health and retention(8).

"My final thought.... Not everyone has the luxury of choosing their work environment. But by recognising how workplaces shape health, we can push for systemic change - whether in retail, healthcare, universities, or SMEs - that help make healthy choices the easy choices".

At HercuWise, we help organisations take practical steps to improve workplace nutrition and overall wellbeing. Our multi-component approach combines evidence-based insights with affordable, flexible digital learning packages that fit the needs of diverse workplaces. By supporting healthier food environments and giving employees the tools to make informed choices, we make it easier for businesses to promote wellbeing, productivity, and long-term health. To explore how HercuWise can support your workplace, contact us at info@hercuwise.com or visit www.hercuwise.com

References:

1. Department of Health and Social Care. Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England. 2025 Jul.

2. Watt T, Raymond A, Rachet-Jacquet L, Head A, Kypridemos C, Kelly E, et al. Health in 2040: projected patterns of illness in England. 2023 Jul.

3. Department for Business & Trade. Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2024: statistical release [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 Sep 26]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2024/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2024-statistical-release

4. Office for National Statistics (ONS). Sickness absence in the UK labour market: 2023 and 2024. 2025 Jun.

5. Office for National Statistics (ONS). Is hybrid working here to stay? [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 Sep 26]. Available from: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/ishybridworkingheretostay/2022-05-23

6. Clark AB, Coates AM, Davidson ZE, Bonham MP. Dietary Patterns under the Influence of Rotational Shift Work Schedules: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Adv Nutr. 2023 Mar;14(2):295–316.

7. Deloitte. Mental health and employers [Internet]. 2024 May [cited 2025 Sep 23]. Available from: https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/services/consulting/research/mental-health-and-employers-the-case-for-employers-to-invest-in-supporting-working-parents-and-a-mentally-health-workplace.html

8. Watson D, Tregaskis O, Gedikli C, Vaughn O, Semkina A. Well-being through learning: a systematic review of learning interventions in the workplace and their impact on well-being. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. 2018 Mar 4;27(2):247–68.