A Kent business has more than halved its sickness and absenteeism rate by making the office a happier - and hydrated - place to work.

Staff initiatives at Marden-based water cooler company Water (for Work and Home) include groups to help staff to stop smoking, fight the fat, go walking and even hula hooping.

The company’s in-house scientist, Colin Wilson, backs up the wellbeing drive by running an in-house "hydration knowledge" programme to ensure staff get an overview of health and hydration and the links between them.

Last year the company launched a campaign to encourage organisations to provide sufficient water throughout meetings to make the experience more comfortable and productive for those involved.

The MD, Ben McGannan, said: "We take office wellbeing extremely seriously. Improved wellbeing means a happier and healthier workforce and this also translates into an improved bottom line.

"Over the past three years, our Wellbeing initiative has reduced absenteeism from 6.4 to 3 days per person per year, which is obviously a great result."

He said the "campaign for hydrated meetings" had produced a number of horror stories about business people having to endure marathon meetings and journeys without water which, he said, are simply bad for business..

"The human brain is approximately 75 per cent water and a poorly hydrated brain can make even the most exciting presentation feel like one long yawn," he said. "Even two per cent dehydration will cause a 20 per cent reduction in mental and cognitive performance."

Water (for Work and Home) has been involved in this week’s National Office Week which is promoting office health through seminars, literature and case studies of best practice.

More information:Details of National Office Week’s Office wellbeing drive, including a feature on the Water (for Work and Home) Water Wellpoint programme, are on www.nationalofficeweek.com/office-wellbeing