Healthy Workplaces and the Voluntary Sector 12 th May 2015 Ginette Hogan Senior Public Health Officer – Worklessness and Workplace Lambeth and Southwark Public Health Team

Background 2013 / 14 - Southwark CCG funded a workplace health small grants project for VCS organisations 6 organisations received funding for a range of activities, including stress management training, at work massage, fire safety / first aid training, healthy eating workshops and health and safety policy advice Additional Public Health funding has been identified to create workplace health training being offered over next 6 months

Why Tackle Workplace Health 1/3 of the population spend at least half of their waking hours in work 131m days were lost due to sickness absence in the UK in 2013 – an average of 4.4 days per worker (ONS) The greatest number of days lost were due to musculoskeletal problems, followed by minor illnesses and then stress, anxiety and depression CBI estimates that sickness absence can cost roughly £495 per employee per year Evidence shows that comprehensive workplace health programmes can result in fewer accidents, improved productivity and increased workforce engagement An analysis of 32 evaluation studies of workplace health programmes in 2008 showed a mean return on investment of 1 : 3.48

What does best practice look like? For workplace health programmes to be effective, they need to operate at a number of different levels, including action aimed at: – Improving the work organisation and the working environment – Promoting active participation – Encouraging personal development

London Healthy Workplace Charter An evidence-based self-assessment approach to developing a workplace health programme Aims to recognise and develop employers’ good practices for workplace wellbeing Provides clear guidance on how to make workplaces more productive and supportive Provides a free accreditation process that demonstrates the commitment of employers Provides an opportunity to learn from other organisations taking part in the scheme Advice and support is offered to participating organisations

The Charter in Action London Healthy Workplace Charter was launched in 2012 and so far 52 organisations across London have been successfully accredited Many more are actively working towards accreditation This means that approx 157,000 employees are currently benefitting 7 of the successful businesses are Southwark-based, varying in size from 25 employees to around 15,000

London Healthy Workplace Charter Standards Corporate Support Attendance Management Health and Safety Mental Health and Wellbeing Healthy Eating Smoking and Tobacco Physical Activity Alcohol and Substance Misuse 3 Levels: Commitment Achievement Excellence

Example: Mental Health Commitment Level You provide information to employees that helps reduce the stigma around mental ill-health You provide information about mental health and wellbeing, including work-related stress Your organisation ensures that employees are made aware of their legal entitlements regarding working conditions Your organisation is aware of risks relating to work-related stress (for example, as set out in the Health and Safety Executive’s Management Standards) and takes action to prevent it being a problem for employees Your employees are aware that mental health and well-being issues are valid and people seeking to address these issues are fully supported by the organisation at all levels

Your Workplace Health Activities Grants of approx £500 to undertake a workplace health activity To help you develop your activity, you will need to consider: – What are the needs of your staff / volunteers (use any info you have to help you identify these)? – What have staff / volunteers expressed an interest in? – How can you assess whether or not your activity has made a difference?

For more information: Contact: Or