KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's national organisation for massage therapists says more workplaces should fund massages for their staff.
Massage New Zealand president Christene Loweth said yesterday that it was a travesty the Australian Government was planning to make Australian public servants pay for their own massages.
Australia Post had spent A$55,000 ($62,000) on rub-downs, the Australian Bureau of Statistics spent $10,120 and the Treasury $17,000, as part of senior staff perks.
The massages ran up a $200,000 bill and new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to scrap the massage fund entirely.
Ms Loweth said if the Government were to keep massages for staff, it would set a good example for other employers.
"Maybe if their sickness goes up and the time off for Occupational Overuse Syndrome, etc, increases, then maybe they will consider the cost worthwhile."
The move could discourage other businesses from offering massages, she said.
"I think it could have a subtle flow-on effect where people sort of think 'oh well the Government's pulling out'."
In New Zealand, a number of companies offered massages to their staff, including the National Bank. "It reduces stress levels, it reduces absenteeism, and helps prevent OOS and things like that."
Ms Loweth said businesses would see benefits, with staff returning to their workstations feeling relaxed. They would put in more time and effort when they knew their companies were looking after them.
The usual practice for a therapist visiting a workplace was to offer staff 10- to 15-minute neck and shoulder massages, which relieved stress and tension, she said.
- NZPA
