Helping businesses recognise how they can do more to prevent cancer as well as support workers living with cancer, or other long-term conditions, is the focus of an upcoming Public Health Agency (PHA) and Business in the Community FREE half-day conference.
The ‘Healthy Working Lives’ morning event, which will take place at Riddel Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast on Thursday 3 March 2016, will discuss the best ways to promote health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the PHA, said:
“It is important for employers to play their part in raising awareness and helping to prevent cancer as well as recognise the impact that cancer can have on employees when they return to work – some may need time and assistance to return to work. Many employers already understand this need so we are using the good work that already exists to encourage best practice in the wider business community.
“It is important to highlight the steps that can be taken in the workplace to prevent the onset of long-term chronic conditions. We have seen workplaces encouraging staff to develop healthy behaviours by introducing schemes to enable staff to get more active when travelling to and from work, to eat more healthily through changes to the food on offer in the workplace and programmes such as the ‘£ for lb, 12 week challenge’, and also to quit tobacco through Workplace Stop Smoking Challenges. Introducing these practical changes can greatly impact on the quality of life we can enjoy.”
Belfast City Council, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Carson McDowell and Macmillan Cancer Support will share their experiences at the event which focuses on ensuring that employers are well-informed about the prevention of cancer, and raising awareness of the important role the workplace can play in influencing health behaviours and, in turn, overall wellbeing.
Denise Cranston, Workplace Campaign Manager from Business in the Community, said: “With recent research proving that cancer and some long-term conditions are overwhelmingly caused by environmental factors rather than just bad luck*, it’s vital that organisations take a proactive stance in relation to ensuring the health of their workforce.
“Our aim is to support employers to raise awareness about health behaviours which can prevent cancer and long-term conditions. We also seek to empower those living and working with cancer and other long-term conditions to be able to continue working.
“Long-term sickness is a serious issue for employers in Northern Ireland. With an estimated 140 million working days lost across the UK per year, the knock-on effects for business cannot be underestimated. By prioritising health and wellbeing, employers can help to protect their business and ensure long-term success.”
If you’d like to attend this event and get involved, e-mail cathy.preston@bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606.
ENDS
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