Projects

We are investigating how job mobility can help older workers in routine and semi-routine jobs to extend their working lives. Using mixed methods—an evidence review, analysis of Understanding Society data, and place-based qualitative research in the Leeds City Region—we will examine how job mobility can be improved, with implications for employers and local, regional and national policy.

Qualitative research with young people and employers to develop an intervention pathway for employers to support healthy lifestyles in the workplace. Industries of focus will be: leisure and food, health and social care, education, and construction.

IES worked with the Director of Resources and his team at Harrow Council to address their challenges of succession planning and staff development and to embed still further the positive culture of employee engagement which their Gold Standard IiP award recognised.

IES researchers Sally Wilson and Jim Hillage participated in a series of seminars organised by Eversheds about long-term sickness absence and the new Health and Work Service.

The purpose of this study was to enhance the MOD’s understanding of the perspective of healthy and motivated personnel with respect to positive adaptation: what are the self-protecting factors that lead to effective coping mechanisms, when faced with adversity, and bolstering competence under challenging conditions, thus moderating negative impact(s)? The work had the following aims: To define “psychological resilience” such that it has meaning for the UK Armed Forces To produce a fundamental model of “psychological resilience” To identify current resilience building programmes and examine the evidence base for efficacy To recommend how different components might be applied to enhance current UK military stress intervention initiatives The scope was as follows: Critical review of previous research and initiatives such as (but not limited to) the US “Comprehensive Soldier Fitness programme” Military and civilian stakeholder initiatives Focus on healthy individuals (preventative rather than treatment) The research was presented at The Psychological the 3rd Military Psychology Conference 2014. Download the slides from the event web page

IES was commissioned to carry out an evaluation of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2012-2013. The evaluation aimed to assess the effectiveness and impact of the campaign and its activities at EU and national level. It provided conclusions and recommendations to help develop and further increases the effectiveness and impact of future campaigns.

The aim of this scoping research is to establish the challenges particular to SMEs who are managing employees affected by cancer. The research involves qualitative work with employers and other stakeholders to explore experiences of dealing with this issue and to gain views on new Macmillan resources. The ultimate aim is to provide an evidence base which will allow IES to formulate recommendations regarding what Macmillan Cancer Support (MCS) can and should do for SMEs.

IES evaluated the Well-being through Work Project, an initiative in Wales designed to support individuals at risk of losing their job through ill-health, to stay in work. The programme included a telephone helpline, telephone support to develop an individualised action plan and face-to-face case management and possible onward referral to further support services. The Project was run by Remploy and the National Leadership Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH) and part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG).

This was a mid-term evaluation of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work’s (EU-OSHA) Strategy 2009-2014 that focused on its initial outputs and implementation stage. It also provided feedback on intermediate outcomes of EU-OSHA activities and allowed current EU-OSHA monitoring systems to be tested. The evaluation considered how the intentions behind the strategy were being operationalised, and suggested amendments to objectives or practice, thereby providing the basis for an update of the strategy.