Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
ctd167  
#1 Posted : 05 June 2014 13:28:05(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
ctd167

Had an interesting discussion whilst attending the recent tripartite seminar on health & wellbeing in Widnes.
Responsibility for health and wellbeing, HR or H&S? .............................discuss
jwk  
#2 Posted : 05 June 2014 13:31:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jwk

Both. When I've done, e.g work on stress it's always been with colleagues from HR. I identify the problem (bad management) using HSE tools, HR fix it,

John
A Kurdziel  
#3 Posted : 05 June 2014 13:45:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

It depends on how you (as H&S) fit into the organisation. In my case we fit more into the estates part of the business and so we don’t get involved in the issue of poor management which is the main cause of work related-stress. It is no good assigning an area of responsibility to someone who can’t do anything about it. HR (at our place at least) have the tools to deal with these issues. There seem to be some H&S colleagues who have moved into the wellbeing areas and seem happy to do this- but it is far from universal.
pl53  
#4 Posted : 05 June 2014 15:01:15(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
pl53

Well being is not just stress, it encompasses a whole host of things such as health surveillance, rehabilitation, vulnerable persons assessments etc etc. In my view it needs to be ajoint enterprise between HR, H&S, Operations, TU because they are all stakeholders in these areas
Jem  
#5 Posted : 05 June 2014 16:09:29(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Jem

In my current role I am part of a HR department being responsible for group health, safety and staff wellbeing. It’s a good fit as long as responsibilities and authority are clearly defined in the job role profile. Interestingly my role was moved from estate management to HR.

A Kurdziel  
#6 Posted : 05 June 2014 16:39:42(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

Wellbeing is one of those weasel words that have crept into our world recently, replacing the much more sensible phrase: occupational health. OH dealt with key issues including health surveillance, managing return to work, disability issues, long term health issues like stress etc.
Wellbeing is used to extend this role to things like healthy eating, smoking and drinking, and more. Often issues which the employer has little control over but what they can do, is use this to project the ‘caring sharing’ image to their staff: “We do care about you since we brought someone in to lecture you on your bad food choices. PS you still have to use that dangerous work equipment since it costs too much to get the good stuff in…”
I am getting cynical!
Nicola Kemmery  
#7 Posted : 06 June 2014 16:08:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Nicola Kemmery

I think you can do both - we need the 'traditional' OH approach and wellbeing is something (that if done well) can be added onto this. Although if all you do is the nice to have bits and not the basics I can see why that would generate cynicism!
chalkleyrg  
#8 Posted : 06 June 2014 16:44:20(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
chalkleyrg

In previous employment, Wellbeing was led by a group of four people - One each from H&S, HR, OH and the TU.

The direction was agreed at the H&S Committee, the action by the group.

Case management, if we had an individual health related case depended on the main issue. Injury at work - led by H&S, Occupational Disease - OH, Stress at Work - HR all with oversight from the TU.

It worked well. Very well. and many a case conference was held, often with the Group plus the Manager and Employee, especially where there was rehabilitation back into a role following injury.

We also led on Health Promotion (Physical and Mental) and held roadshows.

However, that was the exception. Everywhere else I have been, this collaborative approach would be scotched by at least one party.

I live in hope that I see it again somewhere on my travels.

RGC
Users browsing this topic
Guest (2)
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.