Annual Conference: A fresh look at work and wellbeing

Past IES Event

3 November 2016

Annual conference 2016: A fresh look at work and wellbeing

View the event slides

Thoughts from the day

'...a very interesting and enjoyable event, and full of useful information.'
-
 Linda Holbeche, The Holbeche Partnership

 

'Very thought provoking with some excellent speakers.'
- Patrick Thomson, Centre for Ageing Better

 

'A thoroughly excellent morning, it was very interesting and worthwhile.'
- Anonymous

As always, we are keen to hear any feedback delegates may have from our events. Please contact Emma Stewart-Rigby.

Event resources

Delegate pack: Download

IES Report Summary: Presenteeism: A review of current thinking

Work, health and disability green paper: improving lives

SMEs and Workplace Health and Wellbeing: The business case
Jane Abraham, Policy Fellow, Department for Work and Pension, Health & Work Joint Unit

Early intervention: What works?
Prof Karen Middleton CBE, Chief Executive, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Cognitive enhancers (smart drugs) and work
Dr Paul Nicholson, Chair, BMA Occupational Medicine Committee

Case study: Employee health and wellbeing: The Unilever perspective
Dr Vedat Mizrahi, Director, Medical and Occupational Health Europe , UK&I

Case study: Mars Chocolate UK, Health and wellbeing and mutual prosperity in the workplace
Helen Wray, Health & Well-being Business Partner, Mars Chocolate UK

The conference covered such topics as:

  • Why workforce health and wellbeing should be a business priority
  • What do we know about ‘what works’ at work?
  • The rhetoric and reality of workplace health
  • Cognitive enhancers or 'smart drugs' at work
  • What support is available from the government (NHS, Fit for Work Service, Access to Work etc)?
  • How to create a psychologically healthy workplace
  • What does ‘success’ look like – stories from employers who have improved workplace wellbeing

#iesHr16

We encouraged our delegates to join us in sharing their thoughts on the day's events via Twitter.

Click here to view all tweets from the event.

Speakers

This event was chaired by Professor Stephen Bevan, IES Head of HR Research Development.

Jane Abraham, Policy Fellow, Department for Work and Pension, Health & Work Join Unit

Dr John Ballard, Director, The At Work Partnership Limited

Prof Karen Middleton CBE, Chief Executive, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Dr Vedat Mizrahi, Director, Medical and Occupational Health Europe , UK&I

Dr Paul Nicholson, Chair, BMA Occupational Medicine Committee

Helen Wray, Health & Well-being Business Partner, Mars Chocolate UK

Event details

Workplace health and wellbeing initiatives are in the spotlight like never before. An increasing number of UK employers now realise that the health of their employees is an asset which can make a significant difference to competitiveness, customer service and productivity. 

Research is now demonstrating that there are aspects of organisational culture, job design and line management behaviour which can have a more profound impact on both physical and psychological wellbeing at work. This evidence presents challenges for HR and Occupational Health (OH) professionals, for line managers and for employees themselves.

With an ageing workforce where retirement will be later and a growing incidence of work-limiting chronic illness among working age people, the challenge for employers is likely to become more acute in the next ten years.