Health and work update for clients as at 7th January 2025
PROMOTING, PROTECTING AND SUPPORTING HEALTH IN WORK
Primary recipients of this and each of our regular monthly updates are asked to ensure these are disseminated to colleagues in HR, those in line management positions, and to senior management.
- Promoting health and preventing ill health and injury through work
We wish all our clients a happy and prosperous New Year in 2025.
At this time of year many people may have resolved to improve their health, for example losing weight, doing more exercise, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol. We continue to provide advice to employers on promoting health[1], all year round. Promoting and preventing ill health is also good for business. We know that healthy working environments, in which employees feel valued and supported, lead to enhanced motivation and increased productivity[2].
Having taken part in the HSE prevention summit in London at the end of November, we expect Government will take a close interest in preventing ill health and injury at work this year. In line with this, we would encourage all our clients to consider whether a review of their health and work needs assessment might be appropriate. We have undertaken such reviews with our clients recently, and this for example has led to updated health surveillance arrangements. HSE provide guidance on health surveillance and occupational health[3] and understanding the business’s health needs[4].
An important element is promoting mental health at work, and in particular identifying work related factors that may lead to stress at work. Again HSE provide guidance[5], and we have also supported client organisations through undertaking organisational stress risk assessments.
- Supporting those with health conditions in their work
Last month the Council for Work and Health published a response to the Government’s Get Britain Working white paper[6]. Prevention to stop people becoming ill in the first place is essential, and a significant element of our work as specialists in occupational health is advising employers on how those with health conditions and disabilities can be sustained in their work. As well as assisting in compliance with disability legislation, this also promotes motivation and in turn productivity, as well as reducing costs through loss of skilled workers and subsequent recruitment and training costs.
We know that a key factor in sustaining those with health conditions and disabilities in their work is the support they have from their line manager in particular. We are able to provide training for line managers in supporting their people should this be considered helpful by client organisations, as well the support we provide through our usual referral services and advice via account managers[7].
Dr Robin Cordell
MBA FRCP FFOM
7 January 2025
We should draw attention to the links on our home page to this current monthly health and work update for our clients, and also to our previous updates at: https://cordellhealth.co.uk/.
[1] Cordell Health support to promoting health at work at: https://cordellhealth.co.uk/promote/
[2] CIPD at: https://www.cipd.org/uk/views-and-insights/cipd-viewpoint/productivity-people-management/
[3] HSE guidance on health surveillance at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/health-surveillance/index.htm
[4] HSE guidance on understanding business health needs at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/health-surveillance/types-of-health-surveillance.htm
[5] HSE guidance on mental health and stress at work at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/
[6] Council for Work and Health (2024). Statement on the Get Britain Working white paper, November 2024. Dated 12 Dec 2024 at: https://www.councilforworkandhealth.org.uk/news/
[7] Cordell Health support services at: https://cordellhealth.co.uk/support/