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A new guide Evaluating and supporting Neurodifferences at work is now available from The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM). It is a product of the SOM Occupational Health Psychology Special Interest Group (SIG) and has been launched during Neurodiversity Celebration Week. The guide is aimed at…
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Occupational Health: The Value Proposition reports are launched today in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. These discuss the three broad reasons (legal, moral, and financial) why employers provide workers with access to occupational health services and summarises the best available and most recent…
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With the end of Government restrictions [1], we are entering a new era of personal and business responsibility with regards to COVID-19. Employers are trying to work out the balance between looking after workers, understanding where legal duties lie and getting on with work. People are increasingly…
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The Government in England mandated that all social care workers should be vaccinated from 11 November 2021. Now a similar mandate is due to be introduced on 1 April 2022 for all NHS staff health and social care workers who have face to face contact with service users. There is some talk this may be…
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Sickness absence levels are at record levels as people self-isolate with COVID-19. O ccupational health has a key role in managing absence. It equips employers and employees with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to return to work quickly. There are also benefits in terms of effective advice to…
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An evidence review, ‘ Return to work after long COVID: Evidence at 8th March 2021’ , undertaken by an international group of experts states that return to work for an individual with long COVID often needs involvement of the recovering worker, employer, line manager, health professionals and (where…
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The winners of the 2021 SOM Occupational Health Awards were announced this week at the SOM Christmas Drinks at the Royal College of Physicians, London. Winners were presented with their trophies by Dr Vicky Mason (Chair of SOM Council), Dr Rikard Moen (Chair of SOM International Group), Professor…
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SOM supports the new public health measures to reduce the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. It is highly likely that there will be an increase in close contacts and cases in workers. This could have a significant effect on attendance and absence and is a potential threat to business continuity…
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COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of occupational health. Tackling inequalities in occupational health provision and access is a key issue in the levelling up agenda. The government has set out an aim to ‘level up’ the country, promising to increase prosperity, widen opportunity and ensure…
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SOM welcomes the Government’s response to the challenge of keeping workplaces safe and healthy. There is a compelling case for occupational health, with less than half the workforce having access to occupational health (OH). SOM welcomes the focus on quality OH services, to secure improved employee…
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The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) has today launched a new Podcast series about work and health. Listen here. The first episode in this new Podcast series focuses on Long COVID and work. Long COVID can involve a wide range of symptoms including extreme fatigue, breathlessness, muscle and…
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In the Government's guidance on Summer 2021 plans it is stated that: "'Working Safely' guidance will be updated to provide examples of sensible precautions that employers can take to reduce risk in their workplaces. Employers should take account of this guidance in preparing the risk assessments…