Working towards wellbeing

15 Feb 2008

Corus has passed along some good advice to its employees about going to work each day.

For many of us, getting up and going to work in the morning is simply a matter of financial necessity, so we’ve probably never stopped to consider that work may actually be good for our health. But a recent independent review of the scientific evidence around health and work has shown that work can be incredibly beneficial to both our physical and mental wellbeing, and can also promote longevity. The findings show that:

• Being in the right type of work is good for your health - It improves self-esteem, quality of life and wellbeing.
• Being out of work is bad for both mind and body. Unemployment progressively damages health and results in more sickness, disability, mental illness, obesity and decreased life expectancy.
• When people return to work after a period of unemployment, their health improves. Returning to work from unemployment improves health by as much as unemployment damages it.
• If you have a health condition, being in work can help you get better. Remaining in or returning quickly to work is beneficial for people with both physical and mental health problems.
• Although aspects of work can pose a risk to health, far more people gain health benefits from work than are negatively affected by it. The benefits of work are also greater than the harmful effects of prolonged sickness absence.

Up until now the benefits of work had not been fully appreciated by either healthcare professionals or the public, but this new research has provided the evidence for everyone to reassess the way they look at work and acknowledge the positive role that it plays in our lives. National governments are also committed to helping more people enter into, remain in and return to work; the positive effects of work do not just benefit the individual - work also reduces poverty and health inequalities for the family and the community.

There may be occasions when we fall prey to a long-term illness, and knowing that a return to work can speed up our recovery process will enable employers and employees to work together for a more effective and speedy return to good health. Being on long-term sick leave can be incredibly damaging for both the individual and his or her family, so planning a positive rehabilitation programme can really work wonders as an aid to full recovery:

• Most common health problems can be accommodated at work and these account for two-thirds of longer-term sickness absence, incapacity for work and ill-health retirement.
• Think about the obstacles that are preventing you from getting back to work and how you might overcome them.
• Set realistic targets for yourself about your recovery and return to work.
• Gradually increase your activity levels.
• Obtain Occupational Health advice if it is available and speak to your manager about changing difficult work patterns or making workplace adaptations to help you return to work.

For those of us in work, the report provides a great opportunity to look at our work in a whole new light and ensure that we’re getting the most from our job:

• Find a course that would enhance your skills and improve your career path.
• Try to achieve a work-life balance that suits both you and your family.
• If your workplace has an active social life take an interest and get to know your work colleagues outside of work.
• If you’re lucky enough to have a gym at your workplace, try to make use of the facilities and improve your fitness while meeting new people.

For more information on health, work and wellbeing please visit:

The Working for Health website