Health and Support in the Workplace

Healthwatch Bolton undertook research on health and support in the workplace. They spoke to 39 employees and 11 employers from small and medium-sized organisations in Bolton during late 2018 to understand how health and wellbeing affect employment and what support is available in the workplace.

Most employees reported being happy with the support they received from their employers. The forms of support valued most highly were flexible working arrangements, time off for appointments, phased returns to work after illness, adjustments to duties, workplace adaptations and having approachable managers who could be spoken to openly about health concerns. Most respondents felt able to discuss their health and wellbeing with their employer or manager and described supportive workplace cultures. 

Employers generally recognised the importance of supporting staff health and wellbeing and reported offering many of the same measures that employees identified as important. However, smaller businesses described challenges in managing staff absences and supporting employees with complex health needs because of limited resources. Many employers said that employee ill health could have a significant impact on business operations, particularly where staffing levels were small. 

The report found that both employers and employees saw flexible working, supportive management and practical adjustments as the most effective ways of maintaining employment when health issues arise. Employers highlighted a need for better access to advice, mentoring and knowledge sharing between businesses, as well as faster access to counselling and mental health support services, with long NHS waiting times identified as a particular concern.