FORCED RETURN TO THE OFFICE POLICIES PUT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION AT RISK

 

Check out this report https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2023/06/01/forced-return-office-policies-put-recruitment-and-retention-risk-global-report-suggests

Warning organisations what could happen if they force people to work in offices rather than at home. Obviously there needs to be a balance but yesterday travelling home from a training session during rush hour in central London was a dreadful experience. 

Snap poll shows more than half employers guilty of ‘wellbeing washing’

 

As a trade union elected representative for UNISON Community members in London I totally agree with this article in IOSH website. So many employers pretend to care for the well being of their staff but simply do not deliver. Why on earth to they do this? "Workers are not stupid". 

"The term ‘worker wellbeing’ appears to be trending these days as more employers switch on to the fact their workforce is their greatest asset, especially in the current workers’ jobs market.

But another term has been coined to shame employers that want to appear mindful of their workers’ wellbeing yet fail to provide them with any real benefits – ‘wellbeing washing’.

Looking for that ‘quick fix’ to keep their people onside (and hopefully attract new talent), these employers are increasingly being called out for offering free fruit, gym memberships, yoga classes and the like with one hand while pushing staff towards unsustainable workloads, long hours and burnout with the other.

It’s a phenomenon highlighted recently by IOSH Research Programme Lead Dr Karen Michell, in her blog ‘Want to really do right by your people?’

Web poll

So IOSH decided to test just how widespread ‘wellbeing washing’ has become by asking visitors to our website a few questions on the matter, starting with “Do you think your employer is guilty of wellbeing washing?”

This snap online poll, which attracted more than 400 responses from nearly 60 countries over three working days, confirmed that wellbeing washing really is a thing, with more than half (51%) of respondents pointing an accusing finger at their employer. Those who found their employer guilty as charged referred to wide-ranging examples of staff ‘benefits’ they didn’t want or need, including:

• Online ‘wellbeing services’
• Employment Assistance Programmes that focus on out-of-hours issues but don’t deal with work or office-related matters
• Discounts on holidays (which are still too expensive)
• Wellbeing walks (but with no time to go on them)
• Fruit and ice cream
• Shopping discounts (but having to pay for staff parking)
• Mental health First Aid (described as a ‘box-ticking’ exercise that can sometimes see untrained volunteers do more harm than good).

Those employers providing benefits their employees won’t thank them for might be interested to see what benefits workers say they’re not getting but would actually welcome. These include:

• Work risk assessments for stress
• Access to a wider variety of healthy lifestyle classes, not just gym membership or yoga
• More support for women on menopausal issues
• Better mental health support
• Better management
• Flexible working
• A more responsive attitude to worker surveys.

In her blog, Dr Michell advises employers they won’t get away with adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to worker wellbeing, while simply renaming a rest area as ‘The Chill Zone’ is a definite ‘no-no’: “Helping to keep your people contented while also attracting new talent will be vital to your operation – in fact, your whole future will depend on it,” she writes.

Workers aren’t stupid".

Nearly one million UK workers suffering from Work Related stress, depression or anxiety - 11% rise

 

Check out this article in the IOSH website about the 11% rise in work related stress reported by the Health & Safety Executive in their annual report. Very worrying for employers and unions. The HSE believe that nearly half of these workers believe this is linked to the Covid pandemic, while 123,000 believe that their occupational ill health was caused by catching Covid at work (which I believe happened to me last year but luckily I haven't suffered any long term effects).

I also remember many reports during the pandemic on the massive underreporting by many employers of workers killed by exposure to Covid while at work.

The cost of ill health and injuries at work is estimated to cost the UK a staggering £18.3 billion (pre pandemic). I continue also to shocked by the 13,000 workers who died from work related diseases (nevermind the 123 workers killed in accidents - this figure does not include all those who died at work in traffic accidents). 

That means around 36 workers die every day from work related ill health. If terrorists killed 36 people in a single day, we would quite rightly be outraged and "demand something be done".

I will be bringing up this finding on work related stress with my employer as a trade union appointed safety rep and also will see if I can find out more about what is happening to Newham workers as a Councillor on our health scrutiny committee.

"Do you know about work-related stress? Take the test"

Hat tip to the Health & Safety Executive & IOSH. If you care about stress at work and what to do about it then give this short quiz a go.

"A report from Deloitte puts the total annual cost of poor mental health to UK employers at £56 billion – that’s 25 per cent up on 2019. Test your knowledge of this growing issue with the HSE quiz".

Click here

Resigning from Newham Council Fire Safety Scrutiny in Residential High Rise Tower Blocks

I have just resigned tonight from being a member of Newham Council "Fire Safety Scrutiny in Residential High Rise Tower Blocks" because the evidence meetings are being held in secret. I did try to get this decision changed informally but was not successful.

This secrecy is in my view completely unacceptable after #Grenfell Fire. We need complete openness and transparency to make sure such things never happen again.

As an IOSH practitioner and experienced manager of Tower Blocks I will investigate fire safety on behalf of my constituents and all Newham Residents by making site visits & member enquiries and will publish my inspections, questions and any answers - publicly.

(photo of London Borough of Newham skyline including 2 Tower Blocks in my ward West Ham)

Latest Newham’s response to Grenfell Towers

This is the latest media release from Newham Council (see below).

 I am still waiting for copies of the fire risk assessments for high rise blocks in my ward (West Ham) from the Council.

 I have also asked who is checking the fire risk assessments for high rise blocks controlled by Housing Associations and privately owned/leasehold blocks in Newham.

 We also need to think about cladding on schools, commercial office blocks and also low rise accommodation.

 By coincidence, last month during the General Election campaign, I was part of a West Ham Labour Party Canvass team, who knocked on every door in Ferrier Point. It appeared to me at the time to be in good condition internally with nothing really obviously wrong. I did not of course have any detailed risk assessments or other technical information on the block.

 As someone who has direct experience of managing high rise blocks and is a member of IOSH (Institute of Safety & Health) , trained in checking risk assessments, I have also had conversations with the lead Council Executive advisor for Newham Housing, Cllr Terry Paul and other officers.

I understand that the London Fire Brigade are satisfied so far with the control measures put in place by the Council in the 3 blocks identified so far with cladding that has failed safety tests. I am satisfied with what I know so far, but once the immediate crisis is over, we need to find out what went wrong and who is accountable.

 Yesterday evening I was at a meeting of West Ham One Housing Group TRA, where we had a really constructive debate on Grenfell and its aftermath. Tenants are really worried about the safety of their homes.

 The one and only positive thing about this is the way that ordinary working class people across the country and beyond have rallied around the victims and their families.

 Check out this post here on Forest Gate North by local Councillor, Seyi Akiwowo, on Grenfell issues in her ward.

 (Newham media release 27/6/17)

"Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in West London, Newham Council is in the process of inspecting all tall buildings, prioritising those with cladding. There is no immediate risk to the safety of any of them that would lead to residents having to leave their homes.

 Last week, we sent a sample of the exterior cladding from Ferrier Point, Nicholls Point and Tanner Point for expert testing. Although the cladding failed the test over the weekend, the council has confirmed that the insulation material used in the cladding on your block was of higher quality to that used at Grenfell Tower as it is made of Rockwool which offers more fire protection.

 Because overall the samples of cladding failed the test, we have employed an external contractor who has been visiting all three blocks today to assess the removal of the cladding and how quickly this can be done.

This weekend, London Fire Brigade (LFB) along with Newham Council has carried out a full fire safety inspection of the three buildings and a sample of individual flats within the blocks. We have agreed a number of immediate actions which include:

· Extra security is in place in these three blocks 24 hours until further notice. This extra security will patrol the blocks every 20 minutes so they will be able to raise the alarm in the event of a fire
 · Clutter, including some personal possessions such as bicycles have been removed to safe storage.

All residents living in these blocks have been written to and visited wherever possible to outline the actions the council and LFB have taken. We have reassured the residents that these additional actions, along with safety measures that are already in place, including smoke alarms in every flat and high quality fire doors, means there is no immediate risk to safety and no need for people to leave their homes, unless otherwise notified.

 There are some additional matters we are addressing around the blocks, including vandalism, rough sleeping and issues such as smoking in stairwells and corridors. We have also reminded residents of the London Fire Brigade’s current safety advice following the Grenfell Tower fire.

Essential works will begin immediately to enhance fire safety with further upgrades taking place over the next few weeks, including dealing with the cladding.

We have thanked them for their patience and apologised for any inconvenience that future work may cause. We will keep them informed of all further developments.”

Health and Safety Christmas Myths

Check out the list of Christmas "myths" (or rather complete porkies and distortions) about health and safety. This "Top 10" list was  compiled by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

The same old (dare I say) chestnuts are here - such as children being banned from having snowball fights and carol singers being classified as a health and safety risk.  This is indeed a load of old nonsense but this has nothing to do with safety regulations.  Some organisations just use 'elf n' safety as an excuse. While many Tory politicians and their media just make things up about safety issues in order to make cheap political points.

If trivialising health and safety wasn't such a serious issue you would be amused by the attempt of the Daily Telegraph who covered the story here as some sort of attack on "health and safety killjoys" yet completely missing the point that the problem is not the safety regulations but myth making and grossly inaccurate reporting by...(amongst many others)... The Daily Telegraph.  See their coverage here of Brownies being banned from carol singing. Never mind the rubbish put out by its political stable mate the Daily Mail. 

Finally check out this piece of common sense written last year by IOSH Chair, Rob Strange. 

Getting rid of 'elf & safety cowboys?

Some sort of "good news" on the safety front for a change.  IOSH report here that a new scheme to accredit "Health and Safety" consultants will be announced in the "next few weeks".  This scheme will be chaired at first by the HSE. 

Currently anyone can call themselves a "safety consultant" and small organisations in particular are prone to being ripped by inexperienced unqualified "cowboys". 

"IOSH members working as consultants will have to be Chartered to join the scheme, so that clients can be confident that they will get advice from someone with a degree level qualification in safety, practical experience, and a formal commitment to Continuing Professional Development".

But the scheme will be "voluntary" and therefore have no real teeth.  Big companies usually (not always) get competent advice.  Small companies and organisations will continue to be sold unsuitable "off the shelf" safety policies and risk assessments that will gather dust on office sleves.   Guess what size organisations tend to have most deaths and serious injuries at work?

This is I suppose a start and better than nothing but it needs to be put on a legal footing and properly regulated.  It should be a criminal offence to sell safety advice without adequate experience and qualifications.  The HSE need to continue to Chair and lead this scheme.  

Trade union safety reps should check on the competency of all advisers employed by their organisation (see SRSC regs Brown Book reg 4A).

Health & Safety Executive CEO Geoffrey Podger at IOSH 10

Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Executive on YouTube! Whatever next? He is interviewed about the new HSE strategy at IOSH 10 conference.

It is only 2 minutes 17 seconds long so if you have never seen or heard the senior Government official in charge of British Health & Safety - have a click.

It’s not exactly aimed at the average trade union safety rep but he does mention the role of “worker involvement” and the involvement of trade unions in the new strategy. “Partnership” is still key but he states he is concerned with “outcomes” of policies and making sure that “safe working” is built into every day work practices.

More damned lies ...The Torygraph & Hate on Sunday

Why on earth do we buy such rubbish “newspapers”? Recently I castigated the Sunday Times for fiddling stats over public sector pay. Yesterday the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH - I declare an interest that I am a member) pointed out that the Sunday Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday had deliberately told their readers porkies about an important health & safety story.

They had wrongly suggested that IOSH advised firms not to grit pavements outside the workplace because they could be sued. This was not IOSH advice but that of well known private legal and employment law advisors “Croner” who like nearly all “legal experts” know a possible cost of everything but the value of nothing.

In fact IOSH even told the Torygraph that their advice was that companies should grit outside of property boundaries.

However the chance to slag off ‘elf and safety” was too strong so they decided to publish deliberate untruths about this pretty important and topical subject.

Don’t they realise that people will probably have been hurt and injured because they have frightened companies out of doing the decent thing? They have the gall to claim there is a broken society!

(Photo is the new brand image for the Sunday Torygraph and Hate On Sunday)

"Man responsible for his own health? My arse!"

Great steal from the new IOSH e-bulletin and its link to the Men’s Health Forum website. Next week being “Men’s Health Week”.

“A man accused of neglecting his health is being put on mock trial as part of National Men’s Health Week, running from 9 to 15 June.

This year’s campaign by the Men’s Health Forum focuses on men and work, and IOSH is supporting Men’s Health Week as part of its "Back to Health, Back to Work" campaign. There is good evidence that even though men are reluctant to go to their GP with a problem, they will use services provided at work.

There are more than 25,000 health and safety professionals in the UK alone, but only 8,000 occupational health specialists.

IOSH is promoting the role of health and safety professionals and the skills they can use to ‘fill the gap’ in spotting early signs of workplace illness and supporting return to work after an illness or accident.

Interesting that men will use OH services at work rather than going to a GP and that there are so few OH specialists relative to H&S professionals? Discuss...

Update on my own personal health campaign is that “shock, horror” skimmed milk does not taste disgusting anymore and after only a week, semi-skimmed in tea now tastes even creamy! Yesterday, I cycled into work and back again. It took only 25 minutes (Forest Gate to Bow) by main road routes but an hour and 15 minutes home, since I could not find a quick way directly through the Stratford Olympic site anymore. The towpaths and footpaths are closed.

Update 07:05 - just found out that my bike was nicked over night - so need to find plan B!

“Construction Deaths on a Par with Armed Forces”

While the latest news is that Prince Harry (correctly in my view) has been removed from Afghanistan following the disclosure that he was there with his military unit, I was reminded of certain comments. Guess who said: -

“In the six years to 2004, there were 504 construction-related deaths, and 522 in the Armed forces over the same period. It’s pretty staggering – do people really think when they go into construction that they’re going into an industry that has nearly a high fatality as the Armed services”.

This person was the guest speaker at this years Institute of Safety & Health (IOSH) annual Dinner. He then went on to say about the IOSH

"There is an unbelievable and totally unfair negative image of your profession in the UK. The prevention of work-related injuries and deaths is too important not to fight it”.

The Daily Hate and the “health & safety are the new Taliban” brigade will no doubt be seething about this impossible leftie for saying such a thing.

Well, believe it or not the speaker was Tory shadow work and pensions minister, Andrew Selous.
Whether he means it or not is another thing of course.

In just less than two months it is “Workers Memorial Day” 28 April 2008. I’ll post further about this important event.

Row over corporate killing fines

This months SHP magazine reports on a row about how to fine offenders under the new “Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act”. The Sentencing Advisory panel have suggested that the fine should be 2.5-10% of an offending company’s annual turnover.

The IOSH think this is fair since it is in line with the fines that can be levied on companies for infringing European competition law. Surprise, surprise the CBI (the “Voice of Business”) think that fines running into “hundreds of millions of pounds...unfair”. While the CCA thinks even 10% is too low.

The CBI seems to forget that this is about companies being punished for killing people. While competition laws are important surely committing manslaughter should attract a higher penalty. Better still a custodial sentence?

Going to work can make you sick

As already mentioned I was off for most of last week with the dreaded lurgy. However, I used some of the time to catch up on my reading of the “Safety and Health Practitioner”, which is the house mag of IOSH. Read a very interesting article (July 07) by researcher Zara Whysall that “Presenteeism” at work is a “larger drain on productivity than either absenteeism or short-term disability”. “Which can have potentially catastrophic effects on both individual and organisational health”! So much for “Sick note Britain”

It concludes that it is better for the individual (as well as the organisation) to stay at home and recover rather come into work and infect everyone else (and I suppose anyone sitting near them on the buses or train). They also tend to recover more quickly at home.

Fair enough this seems common sense– most of us have come across the saying “Coughs and sneezes spread diseases...” (This was first put on public information service posters in World War Two)

Controversially, she also thought that research showed that workers who come into work despite being unwell may mean that their illness is unnoticed and is allowed to become more serious. Research into male civil servants showed “.....those that did not take any sick leave over the three year study period were more likely to experience serious coronary events than those unhealthy employees with moderate levels of sickness absenteeism”.

You can imagine this happening in practice. Someone who is so worried say about losing their job if they are sick, would come into work and ignores chest pains and other early signs of heart disease. Instead of getting the condition controlled by timely treatment they carry on working and they have a serious attack.

Organisations which have too harsh sickness policies could actually being making things worse not only for their staff but also their own bottom-line.

Health & Safety Sponsors Conkers

Now a serious subject for a change: Conkers. I applaud the Institute of Safety & Health IOSH (of which I am a member) brilliant decision to sponsor this year’s World Conker Championship which will take place this weekend at Ashton in Northamptonshire.

For too long the “health & Safety” lobby in this country has been on the defensive against wholly inaccurate and frankly dishonest myth making by much of the media - such as the “HSE bans conker playing in schools” etc. The usual suspects are at work e.g. Daily Hate, The Torygraph and the Daily Pornography).

This is also a key political issue where we have “clear blue water” between the Tories and Labour. John Redwood MP in the recent so-called "competitiveness report" announced that the Tories would get rid of the vitally important “Health & Safety at Work Act” and “The Working Time Regulations” if they won the next election.

Check out the HSE site health & safety myths