“The past year has been a rich one for the health, work and wellbeing agenda. We have seen and welcome further action to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of all people. Mental health affects one fifth of the working-age population and in many these problems are hidden and frequently compound long-term physical conditions. The economic costs are heavy and employers face significant losses in productivity and high rates of sickness absence. Lord Stevenson and Paul Farmer’s independent review of mental health and employers, Thriving at Work – about which we shall hear more during this conference – offers a singular and timely opportunity for determined responses across the world of work. The Taylor review of modern working practices has addressed the changing demands and conditions of work and their implications for workers. There are compelling incentives - when workforce and management engage in these activities we find better productivity, reduced sickness absence, safer practice, improved service quality and enhanced reputation. Most people, most of the time, are not troubled by significant health problems. The task is to keep it so by alleviating, or best of all, preventing as far as possible the familiar threats to their wellbeing. This calls for effective action throughout life, especially in the workplace where people spend so much of their time and effort. Contributors to the event share their experience and knowledge to further progress the health, work and
wellbeing agenda.”

Dame Carol Black Principal, Newnham College and Expert Adviser to Public Health England and NHS England