The John Lewis Partnership is to launch a programme to encourage its 69,000 employees to improve their health by getting involved in sport.

BT is encouraging employees to change their lifestyle to avoid developing diabetes.

There is a clear case for action across businesses to boost mental health and wellbeing, according to a Government think tank.

Hitachi Data Systems will offer private medical insurance (PMI) cover and managed care for over 350 UK staff.

Healthcare professionals need to engage more with employers to help people with long-term health problems return to work, according to the Institute for Employment Studies (IES).

Asda will provide healthcare benefits to its 165,000-strong workforce.

Eight out of 10 (81%) employers now publicly report their commitment to health and wellbeing compared with 68% in 2007.

HR magazine has teamed up with HSF Health Plan to find an inspirational worker who has overcome an illness and returned to work.

The cost of providing employee healthcare rose by 5% in 2007.

Three quarters of HR professionals say they are aware of "extreme working" within their organisation, with employees working through incapacity or illness.

Rossendale Council has asked all its line managers to come up with ways to help improve staff wellbeing.

Employee Advisory Resource (EAR) has launched the first employee assistance programme (EAP) geared specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.