How to ensure a healthy outlook

6 August 2009

Publication: The Municipal Journal

Amanda Ludlow

Head of business development at Benenden Healthcare

In response to Rod Aldridge’s opinion on public sector absenteeism (Plugged in, The MJ, 30 July), we know, from our own experience on the ground, that sickness absence is an issue which really affects councils in the UK.

As such, we felt it was important to conduct research to see how we could support local authorities and help them address worklessness, effectively.  Tackling the problem in hindsight, we believe compounds the culture of absenteeism, making the problem increasingly complex, and impossible to manage effectively.

Instead, we would like to work with councils, examining wellbeing and absence strategically – ensuring leaders take a top-down as well the current bottom-up approach, thinking practically about how to keep people well and operational within the workplace.

Adding value to staff benefits packages, for example, means that employees are taking control of their own wellbeing, and regular stress audits serve as a barometer for the mental health of council staff.

We are confident that, by introducing these initiatives in a holistic way, we can help reduce absence rates by 20%, leading to savings of £800m.