Thousands of People Undiagnosed With Irregular Heartbeat

Up to 500,000 people could be unaware that they have an irregular heartbeat, dramatically increasing their risk of stroke, estimates show.   Research suggests that one in six people will develop an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation (AF), during their lifetime.

Workers Feel Bosses Put Performance Instead of Health

Working Lives surveyed 500 employers and 2,000 employees in the private sector, and found that only 13% of employers felt there’s been more of a focus on employee health and wellbeing over the past year. Just 12% thought that there’s been an improvement in their working environment over the past year.  While staffing levels are important, presenteeism creates a “false economy”.

Oral Health Problems ‘Cost Economy £105m In Sick Days Every Year’

A poll from the Oral Health Foundation found one in 20 working Brits have been forced to take time off work in the last year due to oral health problems.  The charity estimates Brits have missed more than 1.2 million days of work in the last year, with one day of absenteeism costing an average of £82.86 to the economy, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Breath Freely Campaign Launched by BOHS

BOHS successfully launched Breathe Freely, aimed at controlling exposures to prevent occupational lung disease in the construction industry. Now BOHS has confirmed that Breathe Freely for the manufacturing sector will be launched around the time of Workers’ Memorial Day in April 2017, to run in tandem with the Society’s existing construction-based initiative. With the aim of maximising improvements in respiratory health protection at work, BOHS has confirmed the initial focus will be on the key area of welding activities in manufacturing.

Contractors Show “Worrying” Levels of Mental Health Absence

The contracting sector shows worrying levels of absenteeism due to mental health problems, according to an analysis of sick pay data.  It found mental health is one of the top three reasons for employee absence (13%), after musculoskeletal conditions (48%) and general sickness, colds and bugs (15%).

Half Have Felt Too Anxious Or Depressed To Go To Work

The survey of 1,500 British workers found that while 56% of employees would feel confident discussing their mental health issues with their managers, only 39% of managers feel equipped and sufficiently trained to deal with mental health issues that direct reports may be experiencing.

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