Sickness Absence Management

5-a-day fruit and veg recommendation doubled

Eating a minimum of 10 portions a day of fruit and veg may give us longer lives, say researchers based on a recent study by Imperial College London and reported on the BBC.  Their findings indicated such eating habits could prevent 7.8 million premature deaths each year and that specific fruit and veg can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.  Their conclusions were made by pooling data on 95 separate studies, involving two million people's eating habits and were published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. How much do we need?…Read more
Medigold Health’s Tips for promoting mental wellbeing at work

Medigold Health’s Tips for promoting mental wellbeing at work

Leading occupational health advisors, Medigold Health, have put together a 5 Watchwords and a 6 point plan to promote the mental wellbeing of staff. The 5 watchwords are: Connection - Connecting with people around you Activity - Find the activity you enjoy and make it part of your life Learning - Keep learning new skills to give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence Giving – Give to others – even the smallest act can count, even a smile Noticing - Take notice and be more aware of the present moment,…Read more

10 tips to help ward off health risks of sitting

Recent health studies are all agreed that today’s sedentary work and lifestyles carry significant health risks, leading to sickness and absence;  which means employers are well advised to consider how they can create and promote a working environment in order to maintain health in the workplace. Leading providers of occupational health advice, Medigold Health, have come up with the following list of handy tops to pass on and encourage. IMPROVE YOUR SITTING TECHNIQUE AT YOUR DESK Sit on the edge of your chair Moving your bottom to the front edge of the chair…Read more

5 Myths about Flu

Flu is one of the most common causes of sickness and absence from work, so Medigold Health, one of the UK’s leading providers of occupational health advice, has compiled this handy list of commonly held myths about flu, to help educate your staff: 1. ‘Healthy people don’t get flu.’ Anyone can catch flu. The NHS estimate that 15-20 per cent of the population gets flu every year – healthy people included. If you can catch flu, you can pass it on to those who are at more risk of serious illness. 2. ‘The…Read more

Working in the sun – how to avoid sunburn

Sunburn can be very painful and can lead to staff sickness and absence  so it is well worth employers educating staff, particularly for those working outside. To help, leading occupational health providers, Medigold, have come up with the following handy points to remember to do and things to beware of when working in the sun. Do Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm where possible If you work outdoors, make sure you spend your breaks in the shade Allow for reflection – up to 85% of UV rays can be reflected…Read more

Sunburn watch – why it’s important for everybody

Sunburn can be very painful and can lead to staff sickness and absence so it is well worth employers educating staff, particularly for those working outside. Most people think about sunburn as something that happens on holiday, or in hot sunny places. But sunburn can happen just as easily at home, especially between May and September in the UK. In fact, you can get burned just as easily at home or at work and many cases happen when people are not deliberately ‘sunbathing’.  You can suffer sun burn working outdoors, watching or playing…Read more

4 Prevalent myths about flu and the cost of sickness

As the colder weather sets in, the likelihood of catching flu is set to increase. However, misconceptions about the virus can be misleading and may even put people at risk of contracting the illness. The four most common myths about flu are that: Healthy people don’t get flu. The truth is, anyone can catch flu. The NHS estimates that up to 20% of the population contracts flu every year, healthy people included. The side-effects of the flu vaccination are really bad. For the most part, side-effects of the seasonal flu vaccination are mild or even…Read more

Top winter tips to keep your staff healthy

Given that the common cold is probably the most frequently occurring illness in humans worldwide, there has been surprisingly little research into its prevention. However, a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people who exercise regularly are less likely to get colds during the autumn and winter months. The study, which included more than a thousand people, found that regular physical activity: Reduces the risk of catching a cold by almost 50% Reduces the severity of symptoms for those who catch a cold The study found that…Read more

How changing behaviour patterns can combat anxiety at work and reduce the cost of sickness absence

The workplace can be a stressful environment, and ongoing stress can cause worry and anxiety. While we all experience anxiety at times, it can affect our long-term well-being and may also lead to sickness and absence if it is not handled well. Anxiety can also prevent us achieving our full potential, which may have a negative impact on both workplace performance as well as our social activities and relationships. Top tips to enhance your mental wellbeing If you are feeling anxious at work, it may help to consider the following tips: Try to…Read more

Everything you need to know about pressure in the workplace

Stress is one of the major contributors to the cost of sickness absence for businesses. It occurs when high levels of pressure make staff feel unable to cope. So, it’s important that business owners are able to strike a balance between healthy pressure (which can actually drive performance) and stress which can take its toll on the body and mind, as well as hampering productivity. Did you know…? People who are more physically active cope better with pressure? Your energy levels dictate not only what you are able to do, but how well…Read more