MD Bryan Hindle attended the monthly branch meeting of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), today. Every month these meetings feature a few hours of worthwhile safety training and this month, mental health was on the agenda. This event was organised by IOSH Yorkshire’s members and included two professional presentations.
- Sustainable Return to work by Dr Jo Yarker and,
- Useful mental health toolkits by Victoria Field.
Dr Jo Yarker presents her research to IOSH members on sustainable return to work.
Sustainable Return to Work
Dr Jo Yarker has been examining the resources people use when they return to work. She presented data from interviews conducted with 38 returning employees and managers who have supported return to work. Putting this in context; in the UK alone, stress, anxiety or depression accounts for 44% of all ill-health related cases and 57% of all working days lost to ill-health in 2017-2018 (HSE, 2018). Returning to work following sickness absence can be challenging; too many people struggle to return, and many subsequently relapse and take further absences.
The research suggests that supporting an employee to strengthen their IGLOO – their Individual, Group, Line Manager, Organisation and Overarching resources – can help them to return to, and stay in work. This was a fascinating session and provoked some good question and answers from the floor.
Useful Mental Health Toolkits
Victoria Filed delivered a really useful and practical session. Her presentation was packed with essential links to on-line mental health resources. Most of these were for health and safety professionals, however, there were others, which could be used to help employees who may have concerns, or be suffering from stress and anxiety. As a result this was also very well received by delegates and once more, there were lots of questions from members.
What has all this to do with Brick-Tie Preservation? Everyone has a right to be respected at work, be free from anxiety and to feel valued. We believe that the health and well-being of all of our team impacts the service we provide for clients. Therefore, our people can enjoy their work and look after our customers with a smile. It is one reason why we take time-out to attend these meetings and bring the best ideas back home, for everyone’s benefit.
We are very grateful to IOSH Yorkshire branch for this worthwhile event and especially to Dr Jo Yarker and Victoria Field for their excellent input.
You can read about some of the work we have been doing to help our employees stay mentally safe and healthy at work here
