150 employers sign up to help shape new approach to healthy working

Richard Bate, president of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), said: “If Britain is to keep people healthy, productive and in work, then prevention and person-centred approaches are undoubtedly going to lead the way.

“Employers have a key role to play in securing a future of safe, healthy and fulfilling work that will be good for their workers, good for their businesses and provide a real boost for productivity, competitiveness and economic growth in this country.

“This would also provide a major boost for people’s standard of living and quality of life.

“It’s therefore highly encouraging that so many employers have joined the vanguard group. We’re also looking forward to continuing to support Sir Charlie with this game-changing trial in whatever way we can.

“Recent research has revealed persistently high stress levels across the UK workforce, for example, with young workers being disproportionately affected. Isolation at work, fears of redundancy and rising workloads have been identified as key pressure points. This underlines just how serious stress has become in workplaces, with significant consequences for workers, businesses and society. Employers need to take a proactive approach by identifying and managing psychosocial hazards in the same way they would any other health and safety risk.

“This starts with prevention. Employers should embed psychosocial risk management into their health and safety systems, backed by strong leadership and clear communication. Creating a culture where staff feel psychologically safe and able to raise concerns without fear of stigma is essential. Managers play a vital role in spotting early signs of stress, so training and support for them is critical. Businesses should also review work demands and job design and ask themselves how effectively they are engaging with their people. Last year, IOSH revealed that home and hybrid working is damaging the career development, workplace relationships and mental wellbeing of younger workers.”