Being in good, supported work is important for our health and wellbeing. Work has many positive attributes that promote our physical and mental health, giving us a sense of purpose and identity, providing social networks and contributing to ahealthy lifestyle. Sometimes, however, the work-life balance may be tipped in the wrong direction. This might be because working conditions or relationships become difficult or because a new or underlying illness affects our ability to work effectively. Occupational health is concerned with promoting good health at work and helping people whose health and wellbeing is affected in some way.

The good thing about occupational health is that it is a confidential, impartial service where you can take stock of work-related issues, evaluate whether they might be affecting your health and wellbeing and start to plan for the future. This might involve considering adjustments to the way you work. It might also include liaising with treating clinicians and/or managers, with your permission, to address work-related functional impairments and the need for short-term or long-term support.

• Provide a safe place for all employees to discuss their health and its relation to work. Employees may self-refer in confidence.
• Management referrals provide an expert opinion on fitness for work to help them follow best employment practice and comply with employment and disability legislation. Good occupational health is good for business if staff know that there are no risks around them.
• Assist trainers balance support and challenge for trainees in difficulty. Help Heads of School and Training Programme Directors understand the impact of ill health on progression of competency acquisition and to make suitable adjustments and informed decisions about on-going training support.
• Make it clear that there will be the relevant, required support at any moment as and when staff require it. Additionally, make sure there are the correct provisions such as the paperwork on hand to advise members of staff.

It is well worth remembering that health and safety is essential in its role for creating a good workplace in which members of staff can work and operate. If a member of staff knows that they are in a safe working environment, they will be happy to work harder for the business and there will be a greater level of respect for the management of the business. This can in hand do the world of good for the productivity and ever lasting harmony within the business.