Free service to improve business health

A new and free service to help small firms manage sickness absence was launched last week. The Health for Work Adviceline is for firms with less than 250 staff and intends to provide top quality occupational health advice.

Millions of working days are lost each year because employees go sick. According to figures from the CBI and AXA, some organisations lose as many as 12 working days per year through health issues. That’s a huge cost, especially for small businesses.

Occupational health is all about managing the relationship between health and work. Many firms who use occupational health services experience a measurable reduction in the number of working days lost to sickness.

There are four ways that you can use the new Health for Work Adviceline:

• Free telephone service on 0800 077 8844.
• Search an online database of health information and advice.
• Ask a question about your particular issues.
• Live chat, an instant messaging system with NHS staff.

You can also follow the Adviceline service on Twitter @Health4Work and on Facebook.

Every small business owner should take a few minutes to make themselves familiar with the site, bookmark it in their browser and find a way to remind themselves that it’s there. While your staff might all be fit and healthy today, there’s no telling what tomorrow will bring.