Work Foundation’s Post

We know that where you work, and the nature of your job can have a huge impact on your health. Unhealthy work is bad for workers, and bad for the economy. I’m proud to be part of The Health Foundation’s Commission on Healthier Working Lives. 🗞️ This week the Commission shared an interim report, highlighting the need for better, earlier help for people with health conditions who want to stay in, or return to work: https://lnkd.in/exavhAxN    With 300,000 people leaving the workplace every year due to illness, a lack of support to stay at work has a stark impact on the economy as well as on individuals and their families. But this is not just an issue of health and economics - it’s an issue of equity.      Where we work in Lambeth and Southwark, people living with long-term health conditions from Black and minoritised communities are more likely to be in the types of jobs that have a negative impact on health. Without tailored support for health and better working conditions, inequalities in health and socio-economic status have no chance of improving.     Through our work with our partners, we know that better health at work is possible no matter what your role. 🕰️ Our partner Timewise has found ways to make roles previously thought of as inflexible - frontline and on-site roles – more flexible and offer workers more autonomy. 🌜 Our partner Liminal Space have raised awareness of the challenges of night shift work, and how employers can better support their workers. 🩺 Our work with the Design Council on the Employee Health Innovation Fund has shown how a range of different employers can use a design-led approach to tailor solutions for health to the needs of their workers.      Work and improved financial stability have a positive impact on health. 🤝 Employers, government, and all of us with a mission to improve health and equity must work together to ensure that work helps, rather than hinders health.  

“Around 300,000 people a year move from employment to being out of the workforce with work-limiting health conditions. Once out of the workforce, they are almost three times less likely to return to work than those without health conditions.” Interesting to read the recommendations put forward by The Commission for Healthier Working Lives - with a welcome call for changing SSP and early intervention. For employers wanting to make smalll but meaningful changes in the immediate term, our return to work research that highlights several practical changes employers can make to policies and practices so that people are supported to return to, sustain and thrive in work. https://lnkd.in/e69-84nG

This interim report of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives reviews the UK’s work and health trends and explains why a long-term approach is needed to address the health challenges of the working-age population. It notes that policy and practice gaps, such as for statutory sick pay and occupational health access, mean that support for workers with health conditions is often absent or comes too late. This highlights the need for early occupational health intervention to identify appropriate workplace support at an early stage. This aims to help the worker perform to the best of their ability despite their health condition, which is of benefit to both the individual and the organisation.

Everyone has different abilities when it comes to knowing where to find health information, analyzing that information, making decisions and taking appropriate action. Lower income and education levels, which are considered key social determinants of health (SDOH), are strongly associated with lower health literacy. This makes it essential for employers to address both health literacy and the broader social factors that can impact employee wellbeing. A 2024 study found that 53% of workers said their health plans are a top reason they chose their current employer. But if employees don’t understand those benefits or can’t easily access them, their satisfaction and overall wellbeing can decrease. So, what can employers do to help improve health literacy and address the individual needs of employees and their family members? ✅ Simplifying health benefits information and making it easy to understand ✅ Providing personalized support to help employees navigate their health options ✅ Offering resources that address both individual health needs and broader social factors Want to learn more? Join us for our upcoming Coffee with CuraLinc session, where we’ll discuss how social determinants of health (SDOH) impact your workforce and what you can do to support employees facing these challenges: https://lnkd.in/gcd8A7dN #HealthLiteracyMonth #SDOH #EmployeeBenefits #EmployeeMentalHealth

Today’s data from the Health and Safety Executive highlights ongoing health risks affecting a significant minority of workers in Great Britain. In 2023/24, 1.7 million workers reported health problems caused or made worse by their jobs. While this is slightly lower than last year, it is still higher than the 1.2 million reported a decade ago. Work-related stress, depression, and anxiety continues to be a major concern. Rates of musculoskeletal problems (such as back pain) have generally declined over recent decades, but mental health problems linked to work have been rising since the mid-2010s. The pandemic led to a sharp increase in cases of work-related stress, anxiety, and depression, and rates remain above pre-pandemic levels. Digging into the data, the pressure on health and social care workers stands out. Among health professionals, around 7,250 out of every 100,000 workers reported work-related illness over recent years – significantly higher than the average of 4,140 per 100,000 across all occupations. What needs to change? Work can and should support health. Preventing work-related ill health must be a top priority for employers and policymakers. This includes improving workplace conditions, tackling the root causes of workplace stress – such as excessive workloads – and providing support for both workers and managers. We’ll be sharing more soon as part of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives – including detailed research exploring the links between work quality and health. Explore the data here: https://lnkd.in/eccMjx8y

A record 3.7 million workers in England will have a major illness by 2040. On current trends, 700,000 more working-age adults will be living with high healthcare needs or substantial risk of mortality by 2040 – up nearly 25% from 2019 levels. At this moment in time, around 5% of the entire country is out of work due to long-term ill health. The pressure for employers to take more preventative measures is increasing rapidly as it’s clear the next 15 years will be significant for workplace wellbeing.

Rethinking Wellness at Work 🍄 In a bold shift, forward-thinking employers are turning to psychedelic-assisted treatment (PAT) for those battling treatment-resistant depression. As a former population health nurse in the Self-Funded Employer space, I'm intrigued by how this innovative approach could transform employee well-being, and workplace culture, and not to mention lower costs for members and employers. For decades, we've placed top talent in MedTech firms that innovate for health. Now, companies are applying innovative mindsets to mental health care, too. 🤔 With clinical trials showing promise, this could be a game-changer for employees who've hit a wall with traditional therapies. Could this be a glimpse into the future of employee health benefits? It's not just about the bottom line; it's a powerful statement about valuing every individual. #PsychedelicMedicine #MentalHealthInnovation #FutureOfWork FloodGate Medical

It's encouraging to see the Office for National Statistics and Business for Health cic working together to develop the next ONS Health Index 🤝 📉 Data helps businesses evaluate the impact of health interventions on the workforce. Our workplaces should support employees to improve their health and as well as playing a critical role in preventing illness. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/en4ZQwBA In late June, we held a roundtable with Business for Health. One of the key recommendations that came from this was standardised and regulated data on workforce health. As well as improved workforce health data, the other recommendations were: 1️⃣ Incentivise businesses to improve the health of the workforce 2️⃣ Upskill HR professionals with support from Occupational Health specialists 3️⃣ Establish a national Health and Work Standard 4️⃣ Ensure fair pay and guaranteed occupational sick pay Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e8FtMhBA

Chronic pain and poor mental health are often overlooked but have a profound impact on workplace productivity and the broader economy. Millions of people worldwide live with these conditions, which can lead to prolonged absences, reduced performance, and ultimately, prevent people from working altogether. Long waiting times for treatment, especially within public healthcare systems, exacerbate the issue, leaving employers struggling to manage the financial and operational consequences of long-term sick leave. My passion as those who know me are well aware, is accelerating the use of digital support tools that really will deliver a game-changing solution. These tools can provide early intervention, helping people manage their conditions and return to work faster. From digital cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for mental health to pain management apps, these tools are available anytime and can significantly improve access to care. As more companies incorporate these technologies into their employee support systems, they not only improve well-being but also foster a healthier, more productive workforce. Investing in digital health is not just good for people—it's good for business. #MentalHealthMatters #ChronicPain #WorkplaceWellbeing #DigitalHealth #EmployeeWellness Alex Lawrence The Health Foundation Wellmind Health

Is the working environment becoming an increasing burden on healthcare? ….. Yes! According to the American Psychological Association (APA), The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO, and other organisations. Both the physical and psychological demands of modern work conditions have been linked to a wide range of health problems, and a consequent increase in healthcare costs. Several factors contribute to this burden, including work-related stress, poor work-life balance, sedentary lifestyles, and insufficient workplace support systems. The incidence of complaint is staggering; almost 60% of American workers are suffers according to the APA. The economic cost of work-related health problems is just as shocking. According to a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the global cost of work-related injuries and illnesses amounts to approximately 4% of global GDP. This includes both direct healthcare costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity and absenteeism. The healthcare system, both public and private, bears a sizeable portion of these costs, which could be lessened by addressing workplace conditions more proactively. Addressing issues like stress, sedentary lifestyles, poor workplace support, and physical safety hazards could significantly reduce the strain on healthcare resources and improve overall public health outcomes. #WorkplaceWellness #MentalHealthAtWork #Burnout #HealthcareBurden #EmployeeHealth #OccupationalHealth #WorkplaceStress #SedentaryLifestyle #WorkplaceSafety #PublicHealth