IOSH co-hosts international healthy working lives summit in London

Hosted by IOSH in collaboration with ISSA, the International Social Security Association, the event brought together experts in occupational health and safety, social security systems, and labour market developments.

Against a backdrop of people likely needing to have longer working lives in the future, they explored the impact of the changing nature of employment on health, the rising issue of mental health, the need for tailored measures for older workers, and the importance of people-centred approaches.

Dame Carol Black, Chair of the Centre for Ageing Better and Think Ahead (the Government’s fast-stream programme for Mental Health Social Workers), said the UK’s welfare system is “broken but rescuable”. She highlighted how 300,000 people move from being in work to out of work every year through a work-limiting health condition.

It’s crucial, she argued, that efforts are concentrated on prevention and early intervention with health issues, adding that “we have a system doing too little, too late” and that there was a lack of access to occupational health services. Concluding, she said there is a need for an overarching strategy to keep people healthy and in work.

Dr Christine Grant, Asssociate Professor in the Research Centre for Healthcare and Communities at Coventry University, spoke of the importance of flexibility in how and where people work. It’s important, she said, for employers to listen and provide a compassionate workplace.

She highlighted research which showed remote working had a positive effect for some people, particularly picking out how neurodiverse people feel positive about it while calling for more research in this area.

The experiences of neurodiverse workers was the focus for William Lakeman, of the Social Security Department in Jersey, as he called for better all-round support during a panel session.

Delegates heard how there are varying issues to address across Europe. Thore Hansen, of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, signalled how his country has one of the highest levels of people on sickness benefits in Europe, estimated at around 7-8 per cent.

Tania Mulder, of the Employee Insurance Agency in The Netherlands, said there had been a focused effort on tackling sickness rates, adding that between 300,000 and 400,000 people claim for sickness benefits a year. She said the system was complex and that their ageing population was putting pressure on the labour force.

While issues were highlighted from across the continent, there was a strong focus on solutions, including from Professor Jo Yarker, of the University of London and Affinity Health at Work. Discussing the importance of a healthy work-life balance, she introduced Affinity’s IGLOO (individual, group, leader, organisation and outside context) model, which is a practical, evidence-based tool to promote health, wellbeing and inclusion at work.

As well as highlighting the issues, the aim of the event was to lead to the establishment of closer working relationships and a greater drive to supporting healthy working lives.