News Release: 

EXPERT ADVICE ON WORKPLACE HEALTH FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS

As part of the NHS, the Healthy Working Lives Adviceline offers employers free, confidential and expert advice on health and wellbeing in the workplace.

In particular, the Adviceline is keen to support small businesses in dealing with employees’ health issues.  This includes, for example, providing advice on the increasing problems associated with work related stress, such as, anxiety and depression which can lead to costly sickness absence.

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce is actively promoting the Adviceline to encourage small businesses to make use of and benefit from the expertise it offers.

Over the coming eighteen months the Chambers will promote a package of information and organise a series of events for its members, focusing on the business benefits of  occupational health and the support available through the Healthy Working Lives Adviceline and the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives.

The campaign will communicate the importance of contacting the Adviceline early when specific employees’ health issues arise.  More positively, it will also highlight the benefits of employers proactively engaging in health and wellbeing initiatives to reduce sickness absence at work.

Everyone agrees that a healthier workforce is good for business.  Evidence shows that healthier staff are more productive, calmer under pressure and less likely to be absent from work.  In fact, health promotion initiatives can lead to a 34% drop in absenteeism and research suggests that every pound spent on health promotion could save businesses £2.50.

A network of 80 Healthy Working Lives advisers located throughout Scotland are on hand to support businesses with workplace health and wellbeing advising on matters concerning occupational health, health promotion as well as health and safety.  Where appropriate, the Adviceline can arrange one to one visits to offer additional support to employers.

Free, confidential support is available from the The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives to help businesses keep their staff healthy – call the Healthy working Lives Adviceline on 0800 019 2211 or see www.healthyworkinglives.com                                                                                               

Ends –

Issued by the BIG Partnership on behalf of the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives.

For further information or interview requests, contact Elaine Brewer on 0141 333 9585, 07795 435484 or elaine.brewer @bigpartnership.co.uk or Nicole Wilson on 0141 333 9585 (office), 0775485793 (mobile) or nicole.wilson@bigpartnership.co.uk

 Notes to Editors

The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives was established in 2005 as part of NHS Health Scotland. It offers employers advice on a range of workplace health issues, including the latest health and safety legislation, occupational health support and health promotion.  The Centre’s 80 advisers are based in 14 Health Boards across Scotland and can also help organisations across all sectors work towards a Healthy Working Lives Award, which can include elements such as smoking cessation, healthy eating, physical activity and mental health promotion in the workplace.

Firms are encouraged to be proactive during the European Week for Safety and Health at Work. Ideas on how you can be involved with the campaign and a downloadable action pack including posters, leaflets and more information on how to conduct risk assessments is available on the HSE website .

The Health and Safety Executive is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.

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