Employers challenged to promote wellbeing

The TUC is challenging the Government and employers to ensure that workplaces don’t just prevent staff from becoming ill, but actively promote good health and well-being through ‘good work’. The latest in a series of TUC Touchstone Extra reports – In Sickness and in Health? – argues that around one-third of our waking hours are spent at work, and that our working lives help to define who we are, where and how well we live, and even how long we live.

‘Good work’, says the report, goes much further than simply ensuring that jobs do not make people ill, and is more about organising working in a way that promotes good physical and mental health.

The report concludes by suggesting a national standard or index of ‘good work’ is developed. It would hopefully encourage employers and employees to work together to ensure that work is no longer seen just as a place where employees go to earn a wage.

The pamphlet is available to download at www.tuc.org.uk/extras/good work.pdf