College & University Support Network Executive Patrick Nash has called on employers to give greater emphasis to staff health and wellbeing support amid the economic downturn. In his speech at the third annual Skills for Work conference, he argued that the economy could save up to £100 billion a year if employers gave good support to their staff.
“During an economic downturn, the need for wellbeing support at work is greater than ever," said Nash "A struggling economy imposes unexpected change, uncertainty and insecurity; bringing additional stresses, strains and fears. All of this can hinder work quality and productivity, and engender absenteeism and new difficulties outside the workplace too.
All sectors, including the education sector, could benefit from greater emotional resilience and support, so they can stay upbeat and on form at work, now and in the future.”
Last year, Dame Carol Black’s Review of the health of the working age population found that 175 million working days are lost each year to sickness;
costing the economy £100 billion. At 4.2 percent, the sickness absence rate in education is one of the highest in the UK economy. 475,000 teaching days lost each year are said to be attributable to mental illness.
Nash argued that it was particularly important for employers to promote and work with good external support services. He said that such services could be a huge help to employers and employees, but only if employers actively promote services to staff and work with them effectively on matters such as returns to work.
You can order College $ University Support Network promotional materials for free by calling the support line on 08000 562 561 / 08000 32 99 52.
Patrick will next be speaking at the Guardian Higher Education Summit on 3rd February. If you would like to attend the conference at a discounted rate, please contact Paul Rushworth for more information on 020 7324 4364 or paul.rushworth@neilstewartassociates.co.uk and quote ‘Teacher Support Network’ when booking.
