August 24 newsletter

August 24 accessible newsletter

Flu vaccination: who should have it this winter and why

The UK Health Security Agency has today (11 August) published guidance which explains the importance of the influenza (flu) vaccination this winter 2023 to 2024.

This guidance explains how people can help protect themselves against flu this winter. It includes information for, eligible adults and pregnant women, and encourages people at increased risk from flu, or who care for someone vulnerable, to have their free vaccination.

Share this information with your workforce to help protect them and others, and reduce sickness absences.

Research published in the Journal of Business and Psychology (Dec 2022) reported that although heavy workloads make employees feel a greater need for a break, they may actually discourage employees from taking breaks at work despite causing high levels of stress, fatigue, and poor performance. Ensuring your employees have a realistic workload and take regular breaks is crucial to maintaining productivity.

Insecure employment is linked to poorer health outcomes

Precarious employment and workplace health outcomes in Britain (Social Science and Medecine Vol 320 March 2023)

Workplaces with precarious employment arrangements, including zero hours contracts are significantly unhealthier. Those with the most insecure form of employment perform particularly worst. Precarious employment may become ever more prevalent as organisations contend with economic fallouts from shocks such as Brexit or Covid-19. This may lead to sub-standard health outcomes. The positive influence of trade unions on working conditions has largely been decimated and the workforce in Britain is ageing. These combinations may pose significant challenges to public health including mental health crises.

The number of working days lost to sickness in the UK hit a record high last year, according to official data. Minor illnesses were the main reason for people to take sickness absence, although COVID-19 was still a big factor, the Office for National Statistics said.

FT: UK lost record number of working days to sickness in 2022, says ONS (£)

Line management tends to be associated with increased responsibility and accountability in the workplace, and can be a challenging and high-pressure role. More resilient line managers are more likely to continue to perform despite work stressors. According to an article by IOSH magazine,  line manager resilience tends to increase with increasing years of line management. Exercise, hobbies/interests and socialising are also significant predictors of resilience. For more information please visit https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2023/04/27/research-insights.  

A report by former government adviser Richard Sloggett, has found areas in England with the most overweight and obese people also have the lowest rates of productivity, showing “obesity is an economic as well as health timebomb”.

Guardian: Higher obesity levels linked to lower productivity in England, research shows

Government launches competition for small and medium sized businesses to bid for share of £1m to stimulate innovation in Occupational Health.

£1 million fund for fresh ideas to boost health at work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

News from the Guardian on the recruitment of Happiness officers: does every workplace need to hire someone to bring the joy?

A lawyer at a top London firm has suggested recruiting a chief happiness officer. Could this be the answer to mid-life burnout and the great resignation?

The CIPD records an increase in requests for flexible working and there out of five workplaces already offer this, but there remains unmet demand. This CIPD report on Flexible and hybrid working practices in 2023 | CIPD explains more.

UK Savings week – 9th – 15th September 2024 

Having savings can help people to feel relaxed and confident about the future. But how do you get there when everyone’s feeling the pinch? Find out more about raising awareness of the benefits of saving and how to get started here. 

World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September 2024

Find out more information, toolkits and resources here to support the World Suicide Prevention Day in your workplace. 

Go sober for October 

Are you or your team interested in raising vital funds to support critical cancer services, whilst also experiencing benefits such as better sleep, weight loss, more energy? If so then you might consider going sober for October. 

For more details: Go Sober | Macmillan Cancer Support

Stoptober 

Smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death in England. Stoptober encourages thousands of smokers to quit smoking every October. People are 5 times more likely to quit for good if they can make at least 28 days smoke free. If your interesting in promoting Stoptober in your workplace, visit: Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)  /  Stoptober | Facebook

National Work Life week – 7th-11th October 2024

National Work Life Week is Working Families’ annual campaign to get both employers and employees talking about wellbeing at work and work-life balance. Employers can use the week to provide activities for staff, and to showcase their flexible working policies and practices. 

To find out more visit: National Work Life Week - Working Families 

World menopause day – 18th October 2024

World menopause day is a global awareness raising campaign which aims to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. This years focus is on Hormone Therapy. 

To find out more visit: World Menopause Day - International Menopause Society (imsociety.org)