London companies are installing pool tables, massage chairs and beer fridges in their offices in a bid to boost productivity by improving employee wellbeing.
At Axa Insurance, perks include lunchtime yoga and meditation sessions, healthy-eating tips and massages. Internet company Peer 1 Hosting offers a pool table, Nintendo Wii and a free champagne fridge.
Management consultancy Practicus provide staff with massage chairs and a beer fridge. All employees take part in a positive mindset programme, devised by director Boyd Kershaw who claims the initiative has doubled productivity in 18 months, increasing turnover to over £40 million.
University of Warwick scientists have found that happiness improves productivity by 12 per cent and Professor Andrew Oswald said: “These linkages have always been there but we are starting to understand that they are important, even if they are not in economic text books yet.” Next Tuesday, the Government will release its latest National Wellbeing figures.