Why occupational health is more crucial than ever

Revolutionising public sector wellbeing: the occupational health imperative

Discover how innovative strategies and cutting-edge technology transform employee health, boost productivity, and enhance public service delivery in an era of unprecedented challenges for government bodies and local authorities.

This article covers:

• The evolving landscape of occupational health in the public sector 

• How proactive wellbeing strategies boost retention, morale, and outcomes 

• Civica Occupational Health and its impact on employee lifecycle management.

In today's demanding public sector environment, where budget constraints meet increasing service expectations, the health and wellbeing of employees have never been more crucial. Maintaining a healthy, productive workforce is no longer a luxury – it's a necessity for effective public service delivery.

"Occupational health has evolved from a reactive measure to a proactive strategy underpinning every aspect of the employee lifecycle," says Kirsty Fowler, Executive Director of People and Workforce at Civica. "Historically, it has been the poorer cousin of workforce management, and people don't speak about it all that much. Now, though, for public sector organisations, it's about creating an environment where employees can thrive while delivering vital services to our communities."

Traditionally, occupational health in the public sector focused on managing sickness absence and ensuring basic health and safety compliance. However, recent years have seen a dramatic shift, driven by:

• The coronavirus pandemic's impact on workforce health and resilience 

• Growing awareness of mental health issues and their effect on public service delivery

• The rise of remote and hybrid working models in public administration 

• Increasing recognition of the link between employee wellbeing and service quality.

"We're witnessing a fundamental change in how public sector bodies approach occupational health," Fowler explains. "It's no longer just about managing illness – it's about promoting wellness and creating environments where public servants can excel."

Proactive occupational health management

Forward-thinking public sector organisations are seeing benefits from adopting a proactive approach to occupational health. While specific data for the public sector is limited, we can draw insights from related fields.

For instance, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) engaged Civica and has seen significant engagement with their learning and continuing professional development (CPD) resources, which include wellbeing support.

"Over 10,000 members subscribe to our CPD hub, which hosts our premium content," says Rebecca Gibson, Member Resources Manager at BACP. "There's a healthy 97.8% subscription retention rate, which exceeds our KPI target of 80%." This high engagement rate suggests that professionals value access to resources that support their development and wellbeing.

While this example is from a professional body rather than a public sector organisation, it illustrates the potential for high engagement with wellbeing resources when they are made readily available.

Supporting the public sector employee lifecycle

Recognising the unique challenges faced by public sector organisations, Civica has developed a comprehensive occupational health solution designed to support the entire employee lifecycle.

"Our occupational health software enables public sector bodies to create a culture of wellbeing, from pre-employment health screening through to managing return-to-work processes," Fowler explains.

Key features include:

• Automated pre-employment health assessments

• Proactive health surveillance for roles with specific risks

• Sophisticated absence management tools 

• Integrated mental health support and resources

• Structured return-to-work planning processes 

• Powerful reporting and analytics for data-driven decision-making.

Fowler emphasises the solution's flexibility. "We understand that different public sector bodies have unique needs, so we've built customisation options into every aspect of the platform."

Integrated learning and development

While not specific to occupational health, the BACP case study demonstrates the value of Civica Learning, an integrated learning and development platform, in supporting professional growth and, by extension, wellbeing. In the first 12 months since launching their learning centre and CPD hub, BACP saw:

• 32% of all members engaged with learning and CPD through the platform 

• An average engagement growth rate of 20% per month 

• 2.2 million learning and CPD interactions 

• Over 34,500 content completions.

These figures suggest that when organisations provide accessible, relevant resources, employees are likely to engage with them actively. This engagement can contribute to overall job satisfaction and wellbeing.

Addressing specific public sector challenges

Public sector organisations often face unique occupational health challenges. Civica's solution aims to address these in several ways:

High-stress roles
Many public sector positions, such as those in social work or emergency services, are inherently stressful. Occupational health systems can provide tailored support pathways for these high-stress roles, including regular check-ins and easy access to mental health resources.

Ageing workforce
With many public bodies facing an ageing workforce, occupational health solutions must incorporate features supporting age-related health issues and facilitating phased retirement planning.

Budget constraints
In the current tight fiscal environment, occupational health solutions should be designed to deliver a strong return on investment. Features that help reduce absence costs and improve productivity can achieve this.

Diverse workforce
Public sector organisations often encompass various roles with varying health needs. Effective occupational health systems allow role-specific health assessments and interventions to cater to this diversity.

These approaches can help public sector bodies address their unique occupational health challenges more effectively, supporting employee wellbeing across diverse roles and demographics.

The future of public sector occupational health

Occupational health technology will likely continue evolving, with potential developments in wearable devices, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. These advancements could offer opportunities for more personalised health interventions and proactive wellness management in the public sector workplace.

"The field of occupational health is constantly advancing," Fowler notes. "We're committed to staying at the forefront of these developments to ensure our public sector clients have access to the most effective tools for supporting employee wellbeing."

As public sector organisations continue to face challenges in attracting and retaining talent while delivering high-quality services, a robust occupational health strategy has become increasingly important. Public sector bodies can create healthier, more productive workplaces by taking a proactive, holistic approach to employee wellbeing, supported by innovative technology solutions like Civica Occupational Health.

"Occupational health is no longer a peripheral concern – it's central to effective public sector workforce management," Fowler concludes. "By investing in the health and wellbeing of their employees, public sector organisations are not just improving individual lives – they're enhancing their ability to deliver vital services to our communities."

As we navigate the evolving landscape of public service delivery, with its unique challenges and changing employee expectations, occupational health will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping successful, resilient organisations.

Those who embrace this shift, leveraging technology to support a culture of engagement and wellbeing, will be best positioned to thrive in the years to come, delivering better outcomes for their workforce and the public they serve.