May 29, 2007- IOSH BACKS SMARTER WORKING CAMPAIGN
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the latest supporter of Work Wise UK, the major five-year initiative that aims to bring about a fundamental change in working practices in the UK.
IOSH has joined the TUC, CBI and British Chambers of Commerce in encouraging a ‘workstyle revolution’ through the widespread adoption of new smarter working practices, such as flexible working, including compressed hours and nine-day fortnights, remote and mobile working, and working from home.
IOSH, Europe’s largest professional body for occupational safety and health, is supporting Work Wise UK because of the occupational health benefits of the widespread adoption of these new smarter working practices.
Lisa Fowlie, IOSH president, said: “It is widely accepted that flexible working can help employees achieve a proper work-life balance. A feeling of lack of control over workloads and pressure to work 24/7 may lead to stress. Many people have to work overtime or commute long distances, which adds hours to their working day. Enabling employees to achieve a proper work-life balance will help to reduce ill health absence.
“Work-related stress accounts for over a third of all new incidences of ill health.
Each case of stress-related ill health leads to an average of 30.9 working days lost.
A total of 12.8 million working days were lost to stress, depression and anxiety in 2004/5. “
IOSH believes wider adoption of flexible working practices will improve business productivity and profitability and help to improve the environment by reducing transport congestion and pollution. An important bonus is that it helps employees cope with their family commitments. A recent survey* found that more than a quarter of employees had missed family and social occasions for work and one in five had cancelled or cut short holidays for work.
“The wellbeing of employees is the primary consideration for IOSH and its members, and we support the Work Wise UK initiative to enable more people across the UK to enjoy the benefits of smarter working practices”, added Lisa Fowlie.
Work Wise UK chief executive, Phil Flaxton, said: “As the leading health and safety organisation, we are pleased that IOSH wishes to support the Work Wise initiative. The growing adoption of new smarter working practices will have a very positive impact upon staff and employee wellbeing generally, and on their health.”
Further information about Work Wise UK can be found at www.workwiseuk.org.
* The Twenty4-7 Work Life Balance survey 2007 published March 2007 Work Life Balance Centre
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Notes to editors:
- IOSH is Europe’s leading body for health and safety professionals. We have nearly 30,000 members worldwide, including more than 8,000 Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners.
- The Institution was founded in 1945 and is an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that sets professional standards, supports and develops members and provides authoritative advice and guidance.
- The IOSH website: www.iosh.co.uk.
- Other supporters of the Work Wise UK campaign include the CBI, TUC, the British Chambers of Commerce, Equal Opportunities Commission, BT, Transport for London, Scope, the RAC Foundation, Technology Means Business, Henley Management College and the Association for Commuter Transport.
- Further information about Work Wise UK can be found on the website www.workwiseuk.org.
For further information, please contact:
Roy Turner,
Chelgate PR
020 7939 7939 or 07970 522232 or
rt@chelgate.com
Paul Marston,
IOSH media officer
on 0116 257 3141 or
paul.marston@iosh.co.uk