GOOD WORK - BHAWA … · Qualities: Good communication and listening skills Warm, approachable,...

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In partnership with

GOOD WORKis Good for You

North EastBetter Healthat Work Award

Health Advocate Training Handbook

Delivering Workplace Health and Wellbeing

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Introduction Page 3

The Role of the Health Advocate Page 5

Areas of Health Improvement Page 6

The NE BHAWA Process Page 14

Case Studies Page 18

Equality and Diversity Page 20

Contacts Page 22

Handbook Contents


North East Better Health at Work Award

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Introduction to a Healthier WorkplaceWhat is Health?

Wellbeing:

A positive state of physical, social and mental wellbeing

Not just the absence of pain, discomfort or incapacity

Basic needs must be met

The individual must be fully able to participate in society and achieve personal goals

What Determines Health and Wellbeing?

The following factors all influence our health:

Social class

Gender

Ethnicity

Income and employment status

Environment (e.g. residence, workplace, access to green spaces, opportunities for active travel)

Education

Family history

Social networks (friends, colleagues etc.)

Behaviour

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

WHO definition of Health

Source: Dahlgren and Whitehead 1991

INDI

VIDUAL LIFESTYLE FACTO

RSSO

CIAL AND COMMUNITY NETWORKSG

ENER

AL S

OCIO

-ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Education

Agricultureand Food

Production

WorkEnvironment

Water andSanitation

HealthcareServices

Housing

Unemployment

Age, Sex and Constitutional

Factors

Living and Working Conditions

Not all factors are lifestyle factors therefore some of these factors cannot be changed: gender, ethnicity, family history.

Social class: There are more low birth weight babies born in deprived areas, men in routine jobs are 2.8 times more likely to die between the ages of 25 and 64 years than men in higher managerial posts.

For the period 1997-99, life expectancy at birth in England and Wales for males in the professional group was 7.4 years more than that for those in the unskilled manual groups. The gap between the social classes was smaller for women than for men, at 5.7 years.

Gender: Mental disorders more common in boys. Females were more likely than males to rate their health as ‘not good’ among most groups. Prevalence of CHD is higher for men than females of all ages. There are more suicides among males than females

Ethnicity: Muslim males and females in Great Britain had the highest rates of reported ill health in 2001. Prevalence of diabetes is highest for Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian and black Caribbean men.

Family History: Diabetes, certain cancers, and CHD below age 50, lead to an increased risk in the individual.

All FACTS from National Statistics Office: www.statistics.gov.uk

Ottawa Charter 1986:

The Ottawa Charter for health promotion states that in order to improve health we must:Advocate - a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea, push for something, speak, plead, or argue in favour (humanist: an advocate of the principles of humanism; someone concerned with the interests and welfare of humans)

Enable - enabling all people to achieve their fullest health potential

Mediate - between the different interests in society for the pursuit of health

Health Promotion action means:Build healthy public policy - e.g. no smoking legislation

Create supportive environments - e.g. changing the environment to facilitate a positive impact on health: no smoking signs, signs to stop people from smoking at doorways

Strengthen community action - e.g. empower workforce and personal network to take control over issues that affect their health, encourage participation - no smoking day/lobbying for changes in legislation

Develop personal skills - e.g. giving individuals the skills and coping mechanisms to stop smoking

Reorient health services - e.g. bring smoking cessation services into the workplace

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Responsibilities:

Key contact person between organisation and Award Assessors

Compilation of the portfolio of evidence required to achieve the award

Work in consultation with the Award Assessors at initial and any follow up meetings to identify any actions required

Progress health action plan (if required) to achieve award

Champion health initiatives/activities within their workplace

Time Commitments for Remit:

(The actual time spent will depend upon the size and complexity of the organisation and the number of Health Advocates in the team)

Attending Award induction and any support or training events organised by the award co-ordinators

Organise and run health campaigns and events

Compile portfolio evidence

Assessment visit facilitation

Health action plan work (if required)

Attendance at Award celebration event

Associated Costs:

Health Advocates’ time commitment

Travelling expenses for Health Advocate to attend events

Health promotion activities (most resources provided free by the NHS resources centre)

Identified training (initial training is provided free by a Workplace Health Specialist) Qualities:

Good communication and listening skills

Warm, approachable, welcoming

Enthusiastic

Reliable and punctual

Observant

Organised (paperwork and planning)

What is Very Brief Advice?

It is a simple form of advice designed to be used opportunistically in less than 30 seconds in almost any consultation. There are three elements to VBA:

Establishing and recording the status (ASK)

Offer help and support (ADVISE)

Determine a course of action (ACT)

Examples:

ASK - Are there any aspects of your lifestyle that you would like to change?

ADVISE - Making small changes to your lifestyle can significantly improve your health

ACT - Would you like some information or a referral to a local service

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The Role of the Health Advocate


Physical Activity:The Facts:Guidelines for Adults (19 - 64 years)

At least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate intensity physical activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more (e.g. 30 mins on at least 5 days a week)

Alternatively, comparable benefits can be achieved through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity spread across the week or combinations of moderate and vigorous intensity activity

Statistics:Nationally, 60% of men, 72% of women, 68% of boys & 76% girls aged 2-15 do not meet the recommendations.

Benefits of making changes:

Reduces body weight

Improves circulatory system

Increases cardio-respiratory fitness

Enhances and protects brain function

Increases and maintains bone mineral density

Increases positive mental health

Being physically active reduces risk of developing long term conditions - heart disease; stroke & diabetes by 50%

Very Brief Advice - Physical Activity:

ASK - Do you meet the current physical activity guidelines?

ADVISE - Physical activity is one of the best things you can do to improve your health.

ACT - Would you like: A leaflet/information on local opportunities such as healthy walk schemes

Physical Activity Signposting:

NICE promoting workplace physical activity

Volunteer Walk Leader Training

Bus stop walks

Stepometers

Everest Challenge

Leisure Services/Sports Development

www.bhf.org.uk

www.sportengland.org

www.sustrans.org.uk

www.livingstreets.org.uk

Healthy Eating:What is healthy eating?

Eat breakfast and regularly throughout the day

Reduce fat

Reduce sugar

Reduce salt

Aim for 2-3 portions of oily fish per week

Increase fruit and vegetables (5 a day)

Aim for 2-3 portions of dairy per day

Increase water intake (1.2 litres per day)

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Areas of Health Improvement

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Obesity - the facts: In the UK today obesity is the second most common preventable cause of death

A number of chronic medical conditions are associated with being overweight and obesity, including 58% of type 2 diabetes, 21% of coronary heart disease, 8%-42% of certain cancers are attributable to excess body fat.

Obesity costs the NHS £5.1bn per year and the wider economy £16bn. This will rise to £50bn by 2050 if not addressed.

Obesity rates have more than doubled in the last 25 years

32% of women are overweight (BMI>25)

26% of women are obese (BMI >30)

42% of men are overweight (BMI>25)

26% of men are obese (BMI >30) (Health Survey for England, 2010)


Losing 5kg reduces risk of developing diabetes by 50%

Weight loss benefits all known modifiable risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease

It is recommended that individuals lose no more than 1kg (2lbs) per week Check your food labels

The Eatwell PlateUse the eatwell plate to help you get the balance right. It shows how much of what you eat should come from each food group.

© C

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n co

pyrig

ht 2

013

Public Health England in association with the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government

and the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland.

5gOver

1.5g5g

Between

and

1.5gandbelow

Saturates

1.5gOver

0.3g

1.5g

Between

and

0.3gandbelow

Salt

20gOver

3g20g

Between

and

3gandbelow

Fat

15gOver

5g15g

Between

and

5gandbelow

Sugars

What is

per 100gHigh

What is

per 100gMedium

What is

per 100gLow

Check how much

fat, sugar and salt

is in your food

Food Shopping Card

Remember that the

amount you eat of a

particular food affects

how much sugars,

fat, saturates and salt

you will get from it.

Very Brief Advice - Obesity:

ASK - Do you have a balanced diet? Do you manage to get your 5 a day?

ADVISE - The most effective way to lose weight is with support to achieve a combination of healthy eating and physical activity

ACT - Would you like: a leaflet/a referral to the Weight Management Service?

Obesity Signposting:

Community Weight Management (shape up, LEAN, one to one)

Commissioning healthier catering and hospitality

www.eatwell.gov.uk

www.bhf.org.uk

www.food.gov.uk

www.bda.uk.com

www.nhs.uk/Change4life

Mental Wellbeing:Policies around health and work have traditionally focused on the physical side of health. Symbolised by the health and safety work, where the focus is on reducing risks of physical harm. Yet, in the 21st Century, we know that the main risks to people’s health and wellbeing are around stress and mental health.

The facts:

We all have a level of mental health and wellbeing in the same way that we have physical health

1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem (stress, anxiety, depression, psychosis)

9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination (Stigma Shout survey by Time to Change, 2008)

Stigma and discrimination can make mental health problems worse and delay people getting help and support

Positive mental health and wellbeing protects physical health and improves health outcomes and recovery rates

Early intervention and treatment of mental health problems is recommended to improve health outcomes for people with physical illness

The kinds of behaviour that people can undertake, and which evidence suggests may lead to improvements in their mental health and wellbeing are set out in the Foresight Report on Mental Capital and Wellbeing (2008). They can be seen as the wellbeing equivalent of five fruit and vegetables a day. Five Ways to Wellbeing:

CONNECT - With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

BE ACTIVE - Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

TAKE NOTICE - Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

KEEP LEARNING - Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a

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challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

GIVE - Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you. There are many mental health conditions that affect people and they can share the same symptoms, occur at the same time and/or one can lead to another. The following terms are amongst the most commonly referred to:

ANXIETY - is a response we have to anticipated future threats, and can include excessive worry, recurrent unexpected panics, fear of specific events, circumstances, people or phobia. Worry develops over a period of time.

DEPRESSION - is feeling sad or down, but for a short period of time. We can recover from this easily and do not need treatment. Clinical depression lasts longer than 2 weeks, and affects all aspects of the sufferer’s life.

PSYCHOSIS - is a general term to describe a mental health problem which severely disrupts life by changing thinking, behaviour, mood and perception. Can affect self-care etc and may take a long time to diagnose. STRESS - Stress is now the number one cause of sickness absence in the UK.

HSE defines stress as:

“the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them.”This distinguishes between the beneficial effects of reasonable pressure and challenge, which can both stimulate and motivate, and work-related stress. This is the term now used for the natural, but very distressing reaction to demands or ‘pressures’ that individuals perceive they cannot cope with at a given time. The performance curve is used to describe how we have an intent or target in everything we do at work. If we

have too much or too little to do, then we will get stress responses through boredom or overwork. The human brain is complex and needs stimulation so nothing to do equals boredom!

We work best in our comfort zone, and this has quite a wide scope, depending on the individual. If we are given additional tasks then we consider them and if agreeable, we put ourselves under a little more pressure than normal, which motivates us to ‘go that extra mile’, and can possibly make us feel good as endorphins can be released.

However, if this additional work is prolonged, then we can become exhausted, and this is when the signs of stress related ill health become more apparent. E.g. irritability, sleep problems, not eating properly or excessive use of alcohol, tobacco etc.

Causes of work-related stress:

Long hours

Too much to do

Conflicting demands

Poor management

Bad relations with others

Lack of job satisfaction

Organisational change

Poor work life balance

Bullying/harassment

Bored

Energising Pressure

Exhaustion

Breakdow

nComfortZone

Performance Curve

D E M A N D S

PE

RF

OR

MA

NC

E

IntendedActual

Symptoms of Stress

Stress reduction strategies:

Massage

Complementary therapies

Walking or other Physical Activities

Yoga, Meditation or Relaxation Techniques

Breathing Exercises

‘Me Time’

Laugh and have fun!

Stress management:

Time management

Taking a lunch break

Organisation

Learning to say “NO”

Assertiveness

Attitude change

Lifestyle changes to enhance wellbeing

Benefits of making changes are a reduction in the chance of:

Depression or anxiety

Heart disease, heart attacks, abnormalities, arrhythmias

High cholesterol/blood pressure

Stroke

Infections due to poorer immune response

Disruptions to the digestive system/IBS

Sleep disturbance, eating/weight problems

Diabetes

Pain

Sexual/reproductive dysfunctions

Memory, concentration, learning

Allergies

Skin disorders

Unexplained hair loss

Substance abuse

Very Brief Advice

ASK - How is your mental wellbeing? Are you feeling stressed?

ADVISE - The most effective way to improve your mental wellbeing is with help and support from a trained professional

ACT - Would you like a leaflet/a referral to the Talking Therapies Services?


Back/neck pain Dry throat

Muscle tensionPalpitations

PHYSICAL MENTAL BEHAVIOURAL

NervousnessAnxiety

Apathetic

IrritableConfused

WithdrawnShort-tempered

Drink more alcohol

Smoke more

Achieving lessIncreased caffeine use

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Mental Health Signposting:

SHIFT Line Managers’ Resource

NICE Promoting mental wellbeing at work

International Stress Management Association www.isma.org.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/health

www.mind.org.uk

www.mhfaengland.org

www.time-to-change.org.uk

Smoking CessationThe facts:

In the UK today smoking is the most common preventable cause of death

Nearly 10 million adults in UK are regular smokers (22% male, 20% female)

About 100,000 people die each year

Smoking-related deaths are mainly due to cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease

About half of all smokers die from smoking- related diseases. On average, the life expectancy of a long-term smoker is 10 years less than a non-smoker

In the UK about 8 in 10 non-smokers live past the age of 70, but only about half of long-term smokers live past 70

If someone smokes, stopping is the single most effective way to reduce their risk of getting COPD, which results in irreversible damage to the lungs and breathing difficulties

Benefits of making changes - After:

Very Brief Advice

ASK - Do you smoke?

ADVISE - Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. The most effective way to stop smoking is with medication and specialist support.

ACT - Would you like a leaflet/a referral to the Stop Smoking Service?

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20Min

8Hrs

24Hrs

48Hrs

72Hrs

2-12Wks

3-9Mth

5Yrs

10Yrs

15Yrs

Blood pressure and pulse rate returns to normal.

Blood nicotine & CO halved, oxygen back to normal.

CO eliminated; lungs start to clear mucus etc. Nicotine eliminated; senses of taste & smell much improved.

Breathing easier; bronchial tubes begin to relax; energy levels increase.

Circulation improves.

Lung function increased by >10%, coughs and wheezing decrease.

Risk of heart attack falls to half of that of a smoker.

Risk of lung cancer falls to half of that of a smoker.

Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.

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Smoking Cessation Signposting: NHS Smoke Free Helpline - 0800 022 4332

National Helpline - 0800 169 0 169

Stop Smoking Service - 01287 284487

Smoke Free Families - 01287 284473

Practice Nurse/GP/Pharmacy

www.freshne.com

www.ash.org.uk

www.patient.co.uk

www.smokefree.nhs.uk

AlcoholThe facts:

Alcohol is a major cause of illness, injury and death. It is the third largest risk factor to health and third most common preventable cause of death. It is linked to more than 60 diseases and health conditions

More than 1 million alcohol related violent crimes in the UK in 2010/11

1.2 million alcohol related hospital admissions in the UK in 2010/11

Two in five males and almost a third of females are consuming at or above the Government’s recommended limits on a daily or almost daily basis in the North East

The North East has the highest rate of alcohol related deaths in England

The North East has the highest rate of alcohol related hospital admissions in England with 2,406 per 100,000 population

Guidelines:

WOMENShould not regularly drink more than

MENShould not regularly drink more than

PREGNANT WOMEN and women trying to conceive

What is a Unit?

1 small glass of wine

1 standard pub measure of spirit

Half pint of average strength beer or lager

Types of Alcohol consumption:

3-4 UNITSPER DAY

2-3 UNITSPER DAY

DO NOT DRINK

MENTYPE WOMENLower RiskDrinking 0-21 UNITS

PER WEEK0-14 UNITS

PER WEEK

Increasing Risk Drinking 22-49 UNITS

PER WEEK15-34 UNITS

PER WEEK

Higher RiskDrinking 50+ UNITS

PER WEEK35+ UNITS

PER WEEK

Alcohol Dependence The NEED to Drink

Everyday or Regularly

ONEUNITEQUALS


Reduce your risk of:

• Poor sleep and fatigue • Weight gain • Sexual problems • Reduced fertility • Depression • High blood pressure • Various cancers (mouth, neck and throat) • Breast cancer in women • Liver problems • Having a heart attack

Very Brief Advice:

ASK - Do you currently drink alcohol within the recommended guidelines?

ADVISE - Cutting down on your alcohol intake can significantly improve your health. It can …

ACT - Would you like a leaflet/referral to local service?

Alcohol Signposting:

Drinkline 0800 917 8282

Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555

Alcohol wheel/unit calculator

www.knowyourlimits.info

www.drinking.nhs.uk

www.drinkaware.co.uk

www.dft.gov.uk/think (think campaign)

Sexual HealthSexual Health covers a broad range of topics, Including:

Safer sex and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Prostate health Cervical Health

Pregnancy

Testicular health

Breast Health Sexual Health Signposting:

Sexual Health Helpline 0845 122 8690

www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/sexualhealth

www.fpa.org.uk

www.brook.org.uk (young people)

Practice Nurse

Pharmacy

GP

www.cancerreseachuk.org

www.malehealth.co.uk

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ALCOHOL UNIT COUNTER??

Award Criteria:

There are 4 levels to the Award, with appropriate criteria at each stage to build into an Award Portfolio. Organisations are given up to a year per level, but there is flexibility for those who need it.

The Bronze level lays a firm foundation to build a healthier workplace

Example Criteria:

Ensure at least 1 Health Advocate is in place

A Health needs assessment should be offered to the workforce

Health awareness of the workforce to be raised through 3 health campaigns or events based on the outcome of the survey/assessment

Positive mental health and wellbeing will be promoted

The Silver Level of the award builds upon the basics of the Bronze and rewards organisations that take a more holistic view of the workplace.

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The NE BHAWA Process

Bronze Award

Silver Award

Celebration event

Notification of achievement

Assessment verification

Final assessment visit

Submit the portfolio. 30th Nov cut off date for portfolios

Identify who/what could be a potential case study and write up* (see case study section for guidance)

Compile the portfolio

Collect evidence for the portfolio

Implement and evaluate the actions

Create an action plan for the year

Train up health advocates

Sign up to the appropriate level

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Example Criteria:

The company will participate in a minimum of 4 local, regional or national health related campaigns/events

Physical activity will be encouraged by the organisation

The organisation will start to embed health and wellbeing within company structures and support their Health Advocates

Provide information to supply chain/contractors and visitors in relation to health issues

This level builds upon the Silver and requires companies to look outside their own organisation and promote health within the wider community.

Example Criteria:

A minimum 3 year strategy and 1 year action plan to be in place for health improvement activities

Participation in a minimum of 5 local, regional or national campaigns, one of which should be ongoing throughout the year

Employees will be encouraged to have regular health checks

Policies in place for bullying and harassment, and evidence that they are actively monitored and reviewed

Continuing Excellence recognises the importance of organisations sustaining the progress they have made during their previous participation and encourages them to use their experience to support others.

Example Criteria:

Continue to raise health awareness with the workforce, through 5 local, regional or national campaigns or events, some of which must have an element of sustainability

Provide mentoring role to a minimum of one other employer participating in the Award

Compilation of a case study to publicise achievements

Gold Award

Continuing Excellence Award

IMPORTANT:Always provide a detailed account on the assessment document as external verifiers do not see all of the evidence in the portfolio, only your description and Assessor comments.

Full criteria documents for each level are available on the website and from your Workplace Health Lead.

Building an Award Portfolio:

Always set up the portfolio with a section for each criteria number and the appropriate evidence in that section

See the list of what evidence can be used to build a portfolio

Health Needs Assessment results

Regular planning meetings

Portfolio actions and development

Delegate responsibilities

Activity records and evaluations

Policies & procedures

Minutes/agendas of meetings

Emails or letters

Newsletters/e-newsletters

Photos of campaigns, events, good practice and signage

Accident & sickness stats & trends

Liaise with the named lead for your workplace

Promoting health in the Workplace:

There are lots of ways to promote health awareness in the workplace, including:

Posters

Leaflets

Quizzes

Models

Training (internal or external)

Campaigns

DVDs

Planning a Health Promotion Campaign:

Identify needs (HNA results should inform this)

Decide on format - one off event or longer term campaign

Identify and obtain resources (time, people, material and financial)

Events take time: plan venues, catering, permission, evaluation etc.

Action! Carry out event/campaign

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Don’t forget the publicity - take photos for portfolio, always publicise the event to staff, management and local media

Evaluate and review*

*It is very important to evaluate in order to: measure success, determine course of future action, demonstrate efficiency, refine, revise or develop work and add to the evidence of effective practice. Ideas for Campaign activities:

Participative displays/exhibitions Messages via internal computer network

Link up with other agencies

Tool box talks

Hold specific events

Produce specific info packs

Competitions

Quizzes

Link with local media

Produce newsletter(s)

Organising an Event:

Consider the following points:

Venue, date, time

How the event will be promoted

The aim of the event and target audience

Any activities/interaction

What resources are required

How the event will be evaluated

Other?

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When writing an article you need to think about what the person reading it wants to know, or needs to know.

Above all, it needs to be... ...RELEVANT and INTERESTING!Below is a list of elements that make a good article (and examples):

HUMAN INTEREST - how participating in the BHAWA saved a life, e.g. someone who received a health check as part of the project being identified with dangerously high cholesterol/blood pressure/early stage prostate cancer

INTRIGUE - how a run-down smoking room became a state-of-the-art health suite/gym

CELEBRITY - a well-known person has attended or supported an event/been an Ambassador for the BHAWA project

GOOD NEWS - 40 people in a workplace have all participated in a weight loss programme and lost 60 stones between them

INNOVATION - new schemes or ways of doing things that have been used to engage people in campaigns/interventions, e.g. Virgin Media using Halloween as a vehicle to promote bone marrow donation

NEW INFORMATION - how any new health initiatives are going to work, the addition of a new gym/change in policy regarding health in the workplace

THE UNEXPECTED - an MD cycling in to work every

Case Studies

day/Long distance delivery drivers setting up a roadside salad bar

There are specific things that should be included in any article:

The name of the initiative/workplace, Award level and key partners

Background information - if appropriate

Any relevant dates

Milestones

The names and titles of key players

What has happened/is happening?

Why what has happened/is happening is important

Quotes from different sources (eg, one from Health Advocate, one from management, one from employee-participant)

And wherever possible......GOOD PICTURES!

If there is a professional photographer at an event ask if they would mind sending some photos through (we are more than happy to credit pictures to a photographer if we use them in the publications or on the website), or alternatively take a digital camera that produces high-resolution pictures and try to take some interesting shots of your own.

Style

Everyone has their own writing style but it is important to try to adopt a ‘friendlier’, more conversational style of writing when putting together a piece that involves good news and a human interest angle, so what you are writing comes across as ‘warm’ and sincere.

By the same token, if the article has a serious note - ie, about the serious implications a lack of awareness around mental health issues can have for people in the workplace - try to make the tone of your writing match the topic by avoiding colloquialisms and over-friendly language which could lead the reader to believe that the person writing doesn’t take the topic seriously.

Spelling and punctuation

Spelling and punctuation also make a big difference to how your article reads, and a comma or exclamation mark in the wrong place can dramatically alter the meaning, or at best will make it difficult to read and the reader will give up, no matter how good the content.

Although a good starting point, spell-check is not foolproof and doesn’t pick up misuse of punctuation. So, the best way to identify whether what you’ve written makes sense is to read it out loud.

A template and full examples of existing case studies can be found on the website:www.betterhealthatworkne.org

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Equality and Diversity are core elements of the North East Better Health at Work Award and are embedded into the Assessment Criteria at every level. However, it is their practical application in the workplace and through any health and wellbeing activities that are implemented where they make the most difference.

Equality of access and opportunity are essential to getting the best results for the individuals and employer alike. So, when organising campaigns/interventions or formulating policies it is important to consider how to maximise accessibility and opportunity for everyone.

EQUALITY - is concerned with treating everyone fairly and with dignity and respect, ensuring that individuals have equal chances in life regardless of their personal characteristics or background. National legislation focuses on nine protected characteristics - age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and marriage or civil partnership. DIVERSITY - literally means difference. When it is used as a contrast or addition to equality, it is about recognising individual as well as group differences, treating people as individuals, and placing positive value on diversity in the community and in the workforce.

Good equality practice in the workplace:

An equal opportunities policy in place that has a commitment to equal treatment, which at minimum should include all the protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act

A policy covering bullying and harassment which makes clear that the employer will not tolerate such behaviour in the workplace

Regular training of all staff to make them aware of the importance of equality and respect for diversity in the workplace

Regular monitoring of the workforce

Information from monitoring and staff surveys should be acted upon

Regular policy audits to check for any disproportionate negative impact or potential impact on particular groups and amending them if necessary

Ensure policies on family-friendly leave are inclusive and reflect the diverse range of families that exist

Flexible working opportunities should be made available to all workers. Flexible working is not just for women with young children: it can be important in advancing equality of opportunity for disabled workers, carers and older workers as well

With the removal of the default retirement age, talk to members about their concerns around retirement, and consider negotiating flexible retirement options for older workers

Consider dress codes, facilities, working time and leave policies and whether these should be amended to accommodate the requirements of different groups

Equality and Diversity

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HEALTH INEQUALITIES - are systematic and avoidable disparities in the health outcomes of population groups. They are seen in different geographic as well as socio-economic and demographic communities and can become further entrenched when these categories overlap.

The Marmot Review Fair Society, Healthy Lives argues that avoidable health inequalities arise because of inequalities in society and the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age. Fair Society, Healthy Lives: The Marmot Review 2010 The Marmot Review proposes an evidence based strategy to address the social determinants of health, the conditions in which people live and work and which can lead to health inequalities. It draws attention to the evidence that most people in England aren’t living as long as the best off in society and spend longer in ill-health.

The detailed report contains many important findings, some of which are summarised below: People living in the poorest neighbourhoods in England will die younger and spend more of their lives with disability than people living in richer areas

Health inequalities arise from an interaction of factors (eg. housing, income, education, social isolation, disability) which are strongly affected by one’s economic and social status

Health inequalities are largely preventable

There is a social gradient in health inequalities. The lower one’s social and economic status, the poorer one’s health is likely to be

To reduce the steepness of the social gradient in health, actions must be universal, but proportionate to the level of disadvantage. This is called proportionate universalism

Economic growth is not the most important measure of our country’s success. The fair distribution of health, wellbeing and sustainability are important social goals Based on the evidence assembled, the report also sets out several recommendations, grouped into six policy objectives, which are summarised below:

Give every child the best start in life

Enable all children, young people and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives

Create fair employment and good work for all

Ensure a healthy standard of living for all

Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities

Strengthen the role and impact of ill-health prevention

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Personal ContactsContact Name Organisation Landline Telephone Mobile Number

North East Better Health at Work Awardwww.betterhealthatworkne.org

Northern TUCwww.tuc.org.uk/northern • 0191 232 3175

Balance North Eastwww.balancenortheast.co.uk

Macmillan Cancer Supportwww.macmillan.org.uk

Fresh North Eastwww.freshne.com

Mental Health First Aid Englandwww.mhfaengland.org

Health and Safety Executivewww.hse.gov.uk

Equality Act 2010www.equalityhumanrights.com

Health for Work Advicelinewww.health4work.nhs.uk • 0800 0 77 88 44

Mindful Employerwww.mindfulemployer.net

Bullying at Workwww.banbullyingatwork.com

Institute for Employment Studieswww.employment-studies.co.uk

Department of Healthwww.responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk

The Faculty of Public Healthwww.fph.org.uk

Health at Workwww.bhf.org.uk/HEALTHATWORK

Federation of Small Businesseswww.fsb.org.uk

North East Chamber of Commercewww.necc.co.uk

ACASwww.acas.org.uk

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health www.cieh.org

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Useful ResourcesEmail Address

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For Further Information Please Contact:

North East Better Health at Work Award5th Floor, Commercial Union House, 39 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle NE1 6QE

Telephone: 0191 232 3175www.betterhealthatworkne.org

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