Occupational Health
Occupational Health (OH) is a speciality field of health care and includes a multidisciplinary team. OH does not only provide services but also strategic advice to businesses with outcomes that support health equalities within the working population.
Good work is good for health, and OH support employers to provide good work and employees to maximise their health in work. OH aims to ensure that work does not negatively impact employees’ physical or mental health while also addressing how health conditions might affect their ability to perform their role. OH also provides a health advocacy role in supporting employers with optimising the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
Occupational health services can include :
- Public health support such as immunisations for workers at risk and health advice and promotion
- Workplace needs assessments
- Health surveillance based on risk assessment and legal requirement
- Health assessments based on the risks in the workplace
- Support for employees returning to work after illness or who have an illness while in work.
- Health promotion
- Immunisations to protect public health
- Travel Health
- Physical and mental health support and treatment, i.e. counselling, psychotherapy, physiotherapy, etc.
- Functional assessments such as cognitive, neurodiversity, musculoskeletal, and complex health conditions
- Workforce and management training
- Strategic advice to employers using data
Services may be provided by in-house teams or external agencies.
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Additional external information
- Careers in OH
- Careers in Occupational Health
- What is Occupational Health
- Want to know more or interested in a career – Consider Mentoring with experienced OH professionals
OH in Practice
Videos
What is Occupational Health?
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Workplace wellbeing
The term Workplace Health and Wellbeing refers to the management and promotion of positive health and wellbeing of workers, to create healthy workplaces that foster wellbeing and organisational success. At its heart is the prevention of illness or injury, including (but not limited to) psychosocial hazards (work-related stressors). Understanding the barriers and drivers for positive health and wellbeing, to support all employees to feel valued and engaged.
Those tasked with managing employee health and wellbeing will develop strategies to positively influence wellbeing. This brings together human resources, occupational health, health and safety and other stakeholders to ensure legal obligations are met. Wellbeing professionals also support the development of policies, processes and initiatives that embed health and wellbeing holistically across the organisation.
Workplace health and wellbeing encompasses physical and mental health, and the understanding of the importance of our social, financial, and emotional wellbeing.Â
Strategies can include everything from mental health and wellbeing peer support programmes, data collection and analysis regarding barriers to positive wellbeing, educational content, policy review, and empowering compassionate leadership and psychological safety.
Understanding the importance of workplace health and wellbeing and having a robust workplace wellbeing strategy not only reduces absenteeism but also drives employee engagement, fostering long-term organisational success.