The award offers small and medium sized businesses support and advice – through a dedicated mentor – to improve their practice in three areas: health, safety and occupational health; promoting healthy living at work, and promoting and supporting employability schemes. A pilot for the award will run in 2008 with the award being rolled out in 2009, alongside a planned year-long programme to raise awareness and support workplace health which will be of interest to employers of all sizes.
Millions of pounds are lost every year due to ill health within the workplace and this has a substantial impact on the Leeds economy. Dame Carol Black, National Director for Work and Health, recently published a review into health at work, Working for a Healthier Tomorrow,which found that ill health was costing the country £100 billion a year – enough to run the entire NHS. And in 2004, the University of York calculated that work-related ill health costs Leeds at least £50 million annually.
Improving health and wellbeing in the workplace can bring about many associated benefits for businesses, including fewer absences, better retention and more productive, happier employees.
Businesses interested in getting involved with the awards scheme should contact Lorraine Shuker, Health Improvement Specialist (Workplace) on 07950 806939 or email lorraine.shuker@nhs.net. For more information about the planned year to support workplace health, please contact Lisa Mallinson on 0113 247 4759 or email lisa.mallinson@leeds.gov.uk.