A SUMMARY OF WORKING WELL AND THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND WELLBEING CHAMPION SCHEME May 2017

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1 A SUMMARY OF WORKING WELL AND THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND WELLBEING CHAMPION SCHEME May Introduction The Working Well initiative is funded by Knowsley Public Health, and the delivery partner is Knowsley Chamber of Commerce. The scheme is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the borough s workforce. As a much valued business, based in Knowsley, we can offer your organisation a number of FREE services that can improve the health and wellbeing of your employees, support your efforts to reduce sickness absence, and assist you in complying with Health and Safety legislation. Working Well is available to all businesses and you don t have to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce to access it. We know that there is a distinct link between investment in the health and wellbeing of employees and positive outcomes for the organisation and the employee. Investment in employee health does not need to be large amounts of money. Through the 6 years of the operation of Working Well we have found that investment of time can have huge rewards, therefore this scheme aims to provide benefits with little or no monetary investment. A full-time Working Well Co-Ordinator is employed by Knowsley Chamber to support and advise businesses that wish to improve their workplace health and wellbeing. Here s some feedback from the businesses that have engaged and signed up to Working Well.. General awareness of the impact health and well-being has on all of us. The great benefits of following a healthier lifestyle.. Managing Director Lek Lubrication Engineering The Wellbeing Days are giving all employees the opportunity to access and obtain information in relation to health and wellbeing. It helps demonstrate that the business cares about their employees and raised the sense of wellbeing across the site.hse Manager Dairy Crest Kirkby Moorgate Road Kirkby I think the grant has certainly helped the morale of our team. It has encouraged us to eat better, talk more openly about eating healthily and encouraged us to be more active in our work and home life. We have now got rid of our 'chocolate shelf' and replaced it with our fruit bowl.. Director Esprit Tour Services 1

2 2. Employee Health Data Why are we focusing on employee health? Here s the latest information from the Office of National Statistics Labour Force Survey:- In 2015/16, 30.4 million working days were lost due to self-reported work-related illness or injury: 25.9 million days due to work-related illness; and 4.5 million days due to workplace injury. On average, each person suffering took around 16 days off work, 20 days for ill health cases and 7.2 for injuries. Stress, depression or anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders accounted for the majority of days lost due to work-related ill health, 11.7 and 8.8 million days respectively. The average days lost per case for stress, depression or anxiety (24 days) was higher than for musculoskeletal disorders (16 days). Each year, significant numbers of workers are injured or made ill by their work. These cases impose human costs (in terms of the impact on the individual s quality of life and for fatal injuries, loss of life), as well as the financial costs, such as loss of production to due absence from work, and healthcare costs. Through the Working Well programme we have been recording and tracking the leading causes of work related illhealth (self-reported) amongst people who have worked in the last 12 months. The results are:- Leading reasons recorded in Knowsley for absence Stress, Anxiety and/or depression Musculo-skeletal disorders The main causes of preventable ill health are:- Tobacco Use Diet & Physical Activity Poor Mental Health Alcohol and substance use/misuse The total economic cost of workplace injuries and ill health includes both the financial costs incurred and a valuation of the human costs. Latest estimates show that annually between 2013/14 and 2015/16 an average of 622,000 workers were injured in workplace accidents and a further 528,000 workers suffered a new case of ill health which they believe to be caused or made worse by their work. Research also indicates that individuals who do not work standard daytime hours (Night shift) or who work alternative shift patterns are known to experience worse health than those who do not. Bambra C L (2008) state, Reported health problems include sleep disturbances, fatigue, digestive problems, emotional problems, and stress related illnesses, as well as increases both in general morbidity and in sickness absence. These problems may derive from disruption to physiologic, psychological, and social circadian rhythms Estimating the economic costs of these cases... 2

3 3. Knowsley Working Well Programme Features and Benefits Working Well aims to:- Promote and enable a healthy productive workforce with optimum levels of wellbeing. Help reduce sickness absence and improve management and recording of sickness management. Help reduce staff turnover and increase employee retention as employees feel better supported and more valued. Help increase productivity, efficiency and profitability through better recruitment and retention reduced unplanned staff absence due to illness. Help to create a culture of wellness, and wellbeing with a healthy working environment within the organisation. The benefits to the employer becoming engaged with the Knowsley Working Well programme include:- Taking ownership and leadership by promoting positive health and well-being of employees Improved employee retention (reduced staff turnover = reduced costs) Improved absences due to illness Increased efficiencies with employees whose dedication to the organisation has increased Increased productivity Increased profits The ability to attract a higher calibre of employee for roles To the employee:- Improvement in mental health Improvement in work-life balance An increase in sense of self value and efficacy An increase in self-awareness and own ability to improve health Improved levels of wellbeing The Working Well programme is just the beginning of a whole host of possibilities for organisations involved. The scheme is open to all organisations regardless of industry (or sector). The scheme is flexible to suit all organisations and offers a structured approach to achieving the aims. A key component of Working Well is that staff at every level will be consulted, engaged and empowered to ensure that the desired benefits and outcomes are achieved. It is important that any Working Well interventions that are put in place are available to all shifts equally. There are now 8 key standards that evidence a Working Well company or organisation. These are:- 1. Healthy eating 2. Physical activity 3. Alcohol and substance misuse 4. Smoking cessation 5. Mental health and wellbeing 6. Health and safety 7. Leadership * new 8. Absence management * new 3

4 * Leadership Attributes for Working Well: Active support and involvement from senior management to work towards the attainment of health and wellbeing in the workplace. Evidence of continuous evaluation of achievements against the original objectives of the scheme eg. To reduce sickness absence levels and staff turnover, to improve mental health and wellbeing. Being able to demonstrate that the interventions that have been put in place are still being run and refreshed in line with the requirements of the Working Well programme. * Absence Management Attributes for Working Well: Proactive systems and procedures to reduce sickness absence and improve management and recording of sickness management. Evidence that the company or organisation has policies and procedures in place eg. A Return to Work policy in place. 4. The Working Well Grant The Working Well scheme provides small grants of up to 500 for businesses that wish to introduce workplace health and wellbeing initiatives. The grants are only available to small and medium sized businesses and organisations, ie. Companies that employ staff. A workplace health initiative is one which that supports healthy lifestyle choices, involves the staff in planning the activity(ies), supports positive mental health and wellbeing, and supports their staff to make positive changes to their lifestyle. A business must provide evidence of how they have involved and engaged with their staff for example the planning process, how the Working Well grant will be used and evidence from questionnaires, surveys, a staff suggestion scheme or notes from a team meeting etc. Examples of activities (this list is non-exhaustive and for example only):- What will increase physical activity? Install running machines, table tennis tables Purchase a pool bike so that staff can cycle to and from work Onsite exercise classes What will improve healthy eating? Improving / installing kitchen equipment for non-profit use Staff awareness training on healthy eating / cooking on a budget etc Developing onsite outdoor growing space Provision of healthy food in the workplace (which will continue once funding ceases) What will improve mental wellbeing? Resilience, mindfulness, or stress management training Onsite counselling, wellbeing programmes or therapies All applicants will be required to demonstrate how the initiatives will be sustained once the funding has ceased. 4

5 5. The Working Well Award Scheme We have introduced an award scheme for small, medium and large sized companies and organisations. Businesses taking part in the scheme are provided with support and guidance from the Working Well Co- Ordinator. Certificates will be awarded to businesses that have demonstrated that they have achieved the Knowsley Working Well standards. The criteria that will apply to the awards are as follows:- Bronze The business signs up to the Knowsley Working Well Programme Ensures that all employees know and understand that their organisation is taking part in Working Well eg. Staff noticeboard, s, intranet, newsletters etc. Consult with staff about the Working Well Programme and gather feedback on how to improve health and wellbeing Nominates a Knowsley Workplace Champion who will attend the Knowsley HR/Health and Wellbeing workshops Undertakes health promotion and information awareness and signposts employees to support services Has a nominated senior management lead for HR, Health and Wellbeing Silver The business signs up to the Knowsley Working Well Programme Signs up to the Knowsley Working Well Programme Ensures that all employees know and understand that their organisation is taking part in Working Well eg. Staff noticeboard, s, intranet, newsletters etc. Consult with staff about the Working Well Programme and gather feedback on how to improve health and wellbeing Nominates a Knowsley Workplace Champion who will attend the Knowsley HR/Health and Wellbeing workshops Undertakes health promotion and information awareness and signposts employees to support services Has a nominated senior management lead for HR, Health and Wellbeing Evidence that the company has embedded practises and objectives for managing absence (including targets and objectives) and has at least 1 objective that is directly relevant to the health and safety of employees at work Gold Signs up to the Knowsley Working Well Programme Ensures that all employees know and understand that their organisation is taking part in Working Well eg. Staff noticeboard, s, intranet, newsletters etc. Consult with staff about the Working Well Programme and gather feedback on how to improve health and wellbeing Nominates a Knowsley Workplace Champion who will attend the Knowsley HR/Health and Wellbeing workshops Undertakes health promotion and information awareness and signposts employees to support services Has a nominated senior management lead for HR, Health and Wellbeing 5

6 Evidence that the company has embedded practises and objectives for managing absence (including targets and objectives) and has at least 1 objective that is directly relevant to the health and safety of employees at work Demonstrates continuous commitment to improvement and development of health and wellbeing in the workplace, including an embedded absence management system Regularly audits Safety Management Systems and has an audit plan/action plan relevant to size, scale and type of organisation that is tabled at Board Meetings. Implement policy that allows staff time off work (either paid or unpaid) for the following types of appointment:- Doctors Counselling or support services Sexual/contraceptive health Debt advice/credit union Drug/Alcohol Clinics Smoking clinics Dentists Opticians Domestic abuse services 6. The Role of the Health and Wellbeing Workplace Champion Appointing a Workplace Health Champion is an important and valuable way of taking forward the health and wellbeing agenda within your company. A Workplace Health Champion will act as a point of contact to actively promote Working Well to the staff. Not only will this help your business to create a healthy more productive workforce, reducing rates of sickness absence, it will also have many benefits for the individual volunteering for this role. Some benefits include: - Free training and personal development available through the programme Helping your business look after its staff including you. Gaining skills around planning, organising and event management Feel good factor of supporting a worthwhile initiative that benefits the whole workplace Networking with other Workplace Champions in Knowsley Workplace Champion Role description (companies up to 249 staff):- One to two Working Well Champions will be appointed. Their role is to:- Be the main point of contact for liaison with the Working Well Co-Ordinator and to receive health and wellbeing materials and updates Distribute and display health related materials in the workplace, and cascade health and wellbeing information to all employees who have access to s or print/distribute information to employees who do not have access to IT Arrange or assist the Working Well Co-Ordinator with the organisation of health and wellbeing internal events which can benefit the health and wellbeing of staff Signpost staff to support services such as smoking cessation, alcohol reduction etc Where required, direct any health related requests to the Working Well Co-Ordinator. 6

7 Workplace Champion Role description (companies over 249 staff):- Two or more Working Well Champions will be appointed. Their role is to:- Be the main point of contact for liaison with the Working Well Co-Ordinator and to receive health and wellbeing materials and updates Distribute and display health related materials in the workplace, and cascade health and wellbeing information to all employees who have access to s or print/distribute information to employees who do not have access to IT Arrange the organisation of health and wellbeing internal events which can benefit the health and wellbeing of staff (the Working Well Co-Ordinator can provide support as and when required) Signpost staff to support services such as smoking cessation, alcohol reduction etc Organise themed Health and Wellbeing awareness events for the following (support from the Working Well Co-Ordinator may be provided if required):- Substance misuse (smoking and alcohol/drugs/substances) Mental health and emotional wellbeing Healthy weight Physical activity/sport Health & Safety The Champions will receive:- Support, information and guidance from the Working Well Co-Ordinator to keep Champions updated on projects and/or health and wellbeing news/briefings Access to FREE TRAINING to carry out the role A Tool Kit of information and leaflets to distribute 7. Training The FREE half-day training course will assist and support your Workplace Champion. The training will include:- What is the role of the Workplace Champion? A Workplace Champion Tool Kit A review of what s on offer to local businesses to look after the health of staff RSPH accredited 2 minute Health Messages training, information, booklet and certificate Provision of a workplace forum where ideas can be shared to improve health in the workplace Developing links with other Knowsley Workplace Champions If you are interested in finding out more about the Working Well, the grants for eligible businesses, and the Workplace Champion Scheme please contact: lorna.marshall@knowsleychamber.org.uk T: