Healthy working practices can play a significant role in improving working conditions, morale and productivity, according to a new survey.
The Ipsos Mori research found that employees believe their job satisfaction would be increased if their employers introduced healthy working practices.
In comparison, a lack of such practices is believed to contribute to low morale and high levels of stress, staff turnover and absenteeism.
Commenting on the results, Simon Jones, the acting chief executive of Investors in People UK, said many employers understand the importance of a healthy workplace but fail to commit to the wellbeing of their employees.
"It simply isn't good enough for employers to dismiss this as 'not their problem'," he said.
"The bottom line is that an unhealthy, unhappy workforce will also be uncommitted and unproductive."
Mr Jones added that supplying fresh fruit or gym memberships "is not the answer".
He said what employees actually want is "better support and development structures" that serve to create a healthier work environment.
The Health and Safety Executive says "prevention is better than cure" when it comes to creating a healthy workplace to combat absences.
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