The case for investing in Workplace health; fantasy, fiction or fact?
You can't argue with the facts. Work-related ill health accounts for some 28 million working days lost a year in Great Britain. By far the biggest cause of this – up to half of all work-related absence in some sectors – is stress and related mental health issues followed by musculo-skeletal problems. Employers have much to contend with already, but avoiding tackling the causes of sickness absence is NOT going to make your business more successful! Prevention is by far the most effective way to reduce sickness absence, improve morale and increase workplace performance. The best organisations focus on employee health and wellbeing all year, not just when an employee is sick - and they are seeing real returns on that investment. Even small organisations can make a big difference to employee health and wellbeing, without it necessarily costing a lot of time or money.
‘None of us doubts the negative effects of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or obesity on health, but few of us have any understanding of the value of work to an individual’s health. Work is important not only to physical and mental health, but also for social integration. People are diminished by the experience of long-term sickness absence; loss of contact with the world of work means they lose skills and confidence in returning to work.’
Professor Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health and Work
Three organisations were included in the Offer and Ask for Year One of Thrive Plymouth. At the launch event each organisation collected pledges.