Caerphilly-based occupational health service provider Caer Health warns businesses against prolonged periods of sitting in the workplace. Research suggests that remaining seated for long periods of time can be bad for your health, regardless of how much you exercise.

Prolonged sitting has been linked to increases in cases of obesity, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Caer Health work in partnership with businesses to promote, support and develop a healthy workforce resulting in increased productivity for companies.

Rachel Willis, marketing manager at Caer Health, said: "As occupational health professionals we are very aware of the potential future health issues sedentary behaviour in the workplace can cause. It's an important problem that companies should address to improve the health of their staff. There are several simple steps businesses can take that could encourage employees to move around more in the workplace."

1. Standing desks

There are a lot of options available for different types standing desks. These include permanent standing desks as well as desks that can be raised and lowered either manually or electronically to switch between standing and sitting. Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular across the world and have been proven to improve overall health and help greatly with posture.

2. Standing phone calls

Taking phone calls stood up is a great way to get on your feet. Standing phone calls also give the added bonus of boosting confidence and improving voice quality while on a call.

3. Standing meeting

Try taking the chairs out of meeting rooms and have standing meetings. This will also help to keep the energy in the room up whilst you are having the meeting.

4. Move equipment out of reach

Make sure the scanner or the fax machine isn't in the immediate vicinity of your desk so that you have to get out of your seat to use these machines.

5. Talk face to face

If you need to talk to someone in the office, or in another office in the building, walk over and talk to colleagues as opposed to emailing them. Obviously this isn't always appropriate but it's a great way to get out of your desk as well as giving you the advantage that you'll get an immediate response rather than waiting for the return e-mail.

Rachel Willis said: "Just adopting these simple practices can greatly increase the health of employees. When businesses actively look after the health and wellbeing of their employees they will see the benefits within the company. Focusing on health and wellbeing has been proven to increase productivity, improve staff morale and reduce sickness and absences; all invaluable attributes to help an organisation run smoothly and efficiently."

Caer Health has worked primarily with organisations across Wales, but has recently succeeded in securing a contract with national company Ensinger which further compliments their existing partnership with South West based firm Western Power. This together with their recent success in securing the contract with Dwr Cymru has made them one of the biggest providers of occupational health in Wales.

Caer Health was established in 1987 and has grown greatly over the last few years. The company gained an Investors In People award in 2008 and over the last four years has opened premises across Wales including satellite clinics in Swansea and a regional office in Mold, North Wales. In the future the firm plans to increase clinic locations throughout Wales as well as attract more national contracts.