The Bank of Spain has tendered a contract of €943,736 to offer physiotherapy and Pilates classes to its workers over the next five years, as part of its workplace risk prevention programme.
The Bank of Spain has set aside €943,736 for its employees to access physiotherapy and Pilates sessions over the next five years. This figure, which has raised eyebrows in some sectors, is part of a workplace risk prevention programme that includes the so-called Back School, a service aimed at treating and preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
Beyond the debate over cost, the initiative reflects a growing trend in the business world: investing in employee health to reduce absenteeism and improve overall well-being. But does it make sense for a public company to allocate nearly a million euros to these therapies? Scientific evidence suggests it does.
The back, the Achilles' heel of offices
Back pain is one of the leading causes of workplace disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Sitting for eight hours, using screens continuously, and adopting improper postures puts office workers at high risk. In Spain, musculoskeletal disorders account for a significant portion of sick leave, especially among administrative and healthcare employees.
For this reason, more and more organizations have changed their approach: instead of waiting for injuries to arise, they are opting for prevention. The Bank of Spain joins this trend with a contract that includes individual assessment, physiotherapeutic treatment, strengthening exercises, and postural education. Pilates, with its emphasis on trunk stability and postural control, has become a key tool in these programmes.
More than a massage: preventive physiotherapy
When physiotherapy is mentioned in the workplace, it is often thought of as a simple relaxing massage. Nothing could be further from the truth. The physiotherapist conducts a clinical assessment to identify the source of the problem and applies manual techniques, joint mobilisations, therapeutic exercise, and functional rehabilitation. They also address ergonomic factors such as screen height or chair position.
The goal is not only to relieve pain but to teach the worker to understand why it occurs and what changes they can make in their routine to avoid relapses. Back Schools have been used in hospitals and mutual insurance companies for decades, and are now making their way into the business sector as a long-term investment.
For the reader interested in the topic, the key question is: is it worth it for a company to invest in this? Data indicates that every euro invested in prevention can save several in sick leave and treatments. The Bank of Spain, with its €943,736, bets on this logic. The contract, which will be executed over five years, aims to reduce absenteeism and improve the quality of life of its employees. A decision that, in light of the evidence, seems more sensible than controversial.
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