the magazine from the uk’s leading employee benefits advisory
advocate autumn 2012 | issue#3
visit us on your smartphone advogroup.co.uk
advogroup.co.uk
resano occupational health exclusive interview georgina mills, director page 18
google the search giant leaps ahead in employee happiness page 42
health & safety executive the occupations which account for 8,000 cancer deaths each year
page 12 ‘Just under half of all the deaths within the study were found to be from male construction workers’
advogroup.co.uk | editor’s note
meet the team advo group larry bulmer chief executive lbulmer@advogroup.co.uk colin boxall director, corporate cboxall@advogroup.co.uk chris mccracken director, commercial cmccracken@advogroup.co.uk sharon harwood-davis consultant manager sharwood-davis@advogroup.co.uk yvette butterworth corporate manager ybutterworth@advogroup.co.uk
“
...in this issue we will be looking at a range of occupational health issues including the industries that can be most damaging to your health
”Editor’s note Welcome to the Autumn edition of Advocate magazine bought to by ADVO group!
In this issue we will be looking at a range of occupational health issues including the industries that can be most damaging to your health, the latest approaches and figures on managing stress at work, ADVO Group’s latest appearance in Health Insurance & Protection’s Boardroom Briefing as well as exclusive interviews from Georgina Mills, Director at Resano Occupational Health and Ian Watkinson, Managing Director at Indus Occupational Health. We’re also bringing you the biggest human resources news including our feature on Google making the biggest leap in employee satisfaction, the 2012 CIPD conference and it’s focus on the 2012 olympics, ADVO Group’s new LinkedIn group and we pose the question, ‘would Richard branson be your ideal boss?’ In addition to all of that, we are also of course bringing you the latest happenings from here at ADVO Group, and we have some big news. We’ve just been shortlisted once more for major industry awards and we’ve also just relaunched our ‘ADVO Individuals’ website, so be sure to get all the details! Remember to keep up to date with all the news from ADVO Group by visiting us at advogroup.co.uk and check our our news page at news.advogroup.co.uk. Also make sure you look us up on our social media channels (the details are opposite...).
chris fiander online marketing manager cfiander@advogroup.co.uk scan for more team info
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 02
advogroup.co.uk | who we are
advo group who we are and what we do... Advocate magazine is produced by ADVO Group
find us online
Advocate Magazine is produced by ADVO Group and published quarterly.
web advogroup.co.uk
ADVO Group Ltd is a mid-sized independent employee benefits advisory with a broad-based clientele. Our objective is to be seen as the UK’s most trusted adviser on employee benefits solutions.
news news.advogroup.co.uk
ADVO can test prospective clients’ arrangements against our connectedhealthTM benefit optimisation benchmark. Please be in touch for further details. We also offer a bespoke interactive online system for policy updates and amendments. Members may also be given access to their personal benefit details. Please follow http://soc.advogroup.co.uk for more information. For general information, and/or to join our online HR community, please follow http://issuu.com/advogroup Speak to ADVO Group for any specific query concerning: • • • • • • • •
Private Medical Insurance Cash Plans Group Life & Dependents cover Group Income Protection Group Critical Illess cover Dental & Optical cover Health Screening Occupational Health sourcing
facebook facebook.com/advogroup twitter twitter.com/advogroup pmi linkedin group search ‘health insurance industry uk’ HR linkedin group search ‘hr uk’ company linkedin profile search ‘advo group’ google+ search ‘advo group’ youtube youtube.com/advogrouptv issuu issuu.com/advogroup
T: 0845 2578833 F: 01622 769211 E: info@advogroup.co.uk
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 03
advogroup.co.uk | contents
contents issue#3 autumn 2012 occupational health Page 06
|
ADVO Group in Health Insurance & Protection’s latest boardroom briefing
Page 08
|
Major planned changes to health and safety regulation
Page 10
|
Nick Clegg calls for more support for employees with mental health issues
Page 12
|
5% of all cancer death in the UK caused by occupational factors
Page 16
|
5.7 million in the UK could be allergic to their workplace
Page 18
|
Interview with Georgina Mills, Occupational Health Nurse Advisor, Director, ReSano Occupational Health
Page 22
|
A quarter of employees have experienced bullying at their place of work
Page 26
|
1 in 5 workers forced to pay for own safety equipment
Page 28
|
Interview with Ian Watkinson, Consultant Occupational Health Nurse & MD, Indus Occupational Health
Page 32
|
Is mindfulness the future of employee stress management?
human resources Page 34
|
Learning lessons from the volunteers of London 2012
Page 38
|
Sainsbury’s creates innovative employee satisfaction approach
Page 40
|
The new online hub for human resource professionals
Page 42
|
Google makes biggest leap in employee happiness
Page 44
|
Would Richard Branson be your ideal boss?
other advo group news Page 46
|
ADVO Group shortlisted for leading industry awards
Page 48
|
ADVO Group relaunches ADVO Individuals website
Page 50
|
See you in the Winter for the next edition of Advocate
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 04
page 12 5% of all cancer deaths in the uk are caused by occupational factor
rs
advogroup.co.uk | contents
page 18 exclusive interview georgina mills, resano occupational health
page 42 google’s leap in employee happiness
page 06 advo group in health insurance & protection’s boardroom briefing advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 05
advogroup.co.uk | managing absence and productivity
Managing absence & productivity in the modern workplace advo group in health insurance & protection’s august 2012 boardroom briefing advogroup.co.uk Larry Bulmer, ADVO Group’s Chief Executive, is featured in the August edition of Health Insurance & Protection’s ‘Boardroom Briefing’. The Briefing saw some of leading figures within the industry gather to discuss some of the key current issues such as absence and productivity as well as the practicalities to making improvements to the health of a workforce. David Sawers, Editor of the Boardroom Briefing explained the significance of health linked to productivity within the workplace “While supposedly minor health behaviours – being slightly overweight, drinking a little bit too much, slightly high blood pressure, not getting enough sleep – might not result in someone being absent from work in the short-term, the impact on their productivity in the workplace can be significant. Not only that, but if left unchecked, many ‘minor’ health behaviours and conditions can develop into far more serious conditions, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and stroke. These are all issues that will impact employers increasingly in future years as the working age population becomes older.” David Sawers also went on to explain that the attitudes of employers is changing from being reluctant and hesitant to fully engage with workplace health initiatives to now starting to embrace them to a far greater degree. Larry Bulmer commented on the issues at hand by saying that the size of the company in question, in addition to the sector in which it
operates in, will have a significant bearing on the employer’s attitudes to the health and productivity of the employees. He said that “It can be very industry-specific as well. In some industries it’s much, much more ‘doable’ than other industries”.
“
In some industries it’s much, much more ‘doable’ than other industries
”
The Boardroom Briefing also addressed which employees should have the most time and attention focused on them in terms of encouraging them to make improvements to the healthiness of their lifestyles. Larry Bulmer said that “It’s actually the bulk in the middle which is where we should be focusing our efforts. I tend to see a lot of companies, particularly in occupational health, focus on the person who is repetitively ill, the person who is causing problems because they are always off. Actually that’s a very minor part of the workforce… The amount of effort and energy and resources you put
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 06
into these one or two people means you are missing just a tiny shift in the bulk of the population that’s going to give you a much better increase in productivity”. Larry Bulmer went on to say that whilst dealing with employee absence is still an important consideration for businesses, focusing the attention of the business in question to encouraging employees to make improvements to the healthiness of the lifestyle, even on a relatively small scale, can lead to a significant positive effect on the productivity of the business. On this issue, he said “There has been a focus from occupational health on getting people back to work. Maybe the focus needs to be on presenteeism and managing those people more effectively. If you get the ‘bulk of the herd’ to be just a little bit fitter you are going to increase productivity more dramatically than if you just get one or two people”. To see how ADVO Group can help improve the health and productivity of your workforce visit advogroup. co.uk or call 0845 2578833 now.
advogroup.co.uk | managing absence and productivity
“
There has been a focus from occupational health on getting people back to work. Maybe the focus needs to be on presenteeism and managing those people more effectively larry bulmer advo group
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 07
advogroup.co.uk | health & safety regulations
health and safety regulations to be relaxed across the uk hundreds of thousands of businesses to be affected news.advogroup.co.uk New government moves are being planned to dramatically change the health and safety legislation that will effect hundreds of thousands of businesses across the UK. The planned changes will aim to see many health and safety regulations either scrapped altogether or substantially reduced. The proposals have, however received a mixed reaction. It is being argued by government that the move to make substantial changes to the health and safety requirements of employers is to fuel business growth in the wake of the early stages of recovery from the economic recession. It is argued that the reduction in health and safety regulation will, firstly, reduce the compensation culture which has developed in UK business and, secondly, to reduce the level of red tape that many businesses face, both factors having hitherto inhibited the growth and recovery of many businesses.
Michael Fallon further outlined the general rationale and procedure behind the planned legislation changes ‘We’ve heard it from previous governments but now we’re delivering on it, we’ve identified all the regulations we’ve had business and indeed voluntary organisations and charities tell us which of the regulations really get in thee way and we’re now determined to tackle those and sweep at least half of them away… It’s an extremely tough target, three thousand and of six and a half thousand either abolished or substantially reduced and we’re going to have to work very hard with The government has been keen to other government departments to stress, however, that the changes hold their feet to the fire and make in policy will only be applicable to sure they’re part of this agenda. But select industries which are seen as we simply have to try, we’ve got the particularly low-risk with regard economy now lifting itself out of to health and safety concerns and recession, we need to do everything can therefore afford the easily we can to support business to create of regulation. One of the key the new jobs of the future… There figures in these recent proposals, are issues too in the Eurozone, the Business Minister, Michael Fallon problems there far deeper and longer commented on this particular issue than anybody predicted and we’ve in a recent media interview ‘Let me got some long-term decisions to be very clear, this is only for low risk make to improve the competitiveness premises, offices, shops, things like of our industrial sectors, but at the that. This is not where there is risk same time, we have to help small involved, we’re not talking about firms because they’re so often the construction sites, or chemical plants engines of growth. The firms that or care homes.’ are actually going to take on more people.’ In an interview with the BBC,
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 08
“
we have to help small firms because they’re so often the engines of growth. The firms that are actually going to take on more people
”
Business secretary, Vince Cable has also commuted on the proposed changes “In these tough times, businesses need to focus all their energies on creating jobs and growth, not being tied up in unnecessary red tape. I’ve listened to those concerns and we’re determined to put common sense back into areas like health and safety, which will reduce costs and fear of burdensome inspections. The planned changes are planned to be fully introduced April 2013 and will affect both the Health & Safety Executive and local authorities. However, it is believed that from as early as next month, new legislation is planned to be released which will mean that only in cases where business can be shown to have acted with negligence will they be able to face civil damages in health and safety legal cases.
advogroup.co.uk | health & safety regulations
“
In these tough times, businesses need to focus all their energies on creating jobs and growth vince cable
The planned legislation changes have received considerable support from the business world. For example, head of regulatory policy at the Institute of Directors said that the legislation would be beneficial if it was ‘the beginning, not the end, of the deregulation story.’
”
immediately starts pointing the finger at health and safety, which is always seen as an easy target. The talk of reducing around 3,000 regulations and at the same time focusing on health and safety is misleading. There are only 200 health and safety regulations in total, so any reduction in these will be a The government plans have, however tiny percentage of the 3,000 and so also faced significant criticism. far only 21 have been considered’. He For example, Richard Jones, head further went on to say ‘Good health of policy and public affairs at the and safety saves lives, supports Institute of Occupational Safety and business and sustains the economy. Health expressed his thoughts that We support streamlining and getting the planned legislation changes are rid of redundant legislation, but not characteristic of a general trend of a lowering of standards. It’s vital turning health and safety law into that people understand the massive an unnecessary scapegoat whereas benefits that good health and safety in fact the real issues inhibiting and regulation bring to the economy the growth of UK businesses lie and the growth agenda. Government elsewhere. He commented by saying should be promoting this message’ ‘These sorts of announcements have been made before and it is Criticism also came from the very disappointing that everyone trade union body the GMB, whose
National Health & Safety Office, John McClean commented ‘This will not promote growth and could well lead to an increase in accidents at work and in the retail sector increase risks to the public also. Current laws in this area were not enforced very strongly anyway. The burdens will now fall on individuals and society in suffering and cost. Most small and medium firms would not be able to identify the legislation that states they should carry out risk assessments’. For updates on this story be sure to subscribe to our news feed at news. advogroup.co.uk. Find out how ADVO Group can improve the health and safety of your workforce by visiting advogroup.co.uk or by calling 0845 2578833.
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 09
advogroup.co.uk | increased care for mental health sufferers
“
businesses cannot afford not to take mental health seriously nick clegg deputy prime minister
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 10
advogroup.co.uk | increase care for mental health suferers
deputy prime minister calls for greater care of employees suffering mental health issues dedicated employees needed to provide care & support news.advogroup.co.uk The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has recently made the suggestion that employers should appoint a fulltime employee to support other workers who suffer mental health issues. The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has recently made the suggestion that employers should appoint a full-time employee to support other workers who suffer mental health issues.
“
problems. People with mental health problems can and do work – and supporting them to do so can save employers significant costs relating to staff turnover, under-performance and untapped potential. There is a considerable amount of guidance This suggestion from Nick available on what employers can do Clegg follows on from the ‘No to help people with mental health health without mental health’ problems to stay in, return to and implementation framework which perform well at work. Often these are was launched earlier in the year back simple, low-cost and common-sense It is believed that the ‘No health in July. interventions’. without mental health’ framework has been received well by employers. The framework explicitly highlights The framework has sought to the role that the workplace and improve the awareness and support However, there has been a certain level of criticism from healthcare employers can have on their of mental health issues on a far providers in arguing that the employees mental health by saying reaching level not just within the ‘Being employed is generally good workplace but across many areas of importance and usefulness of for people’s mental health and society. As the framework highlights Employee Assistance Programmes wellbeing. The workplace provides ‘Mental health is everyone’s business (EAPs) has been overlooked. an important opportunity for – individuals, families, employers, people to build resilience, develop educators and communities all need With the psychological wellbeing of your workforce being so important, social networks and develop their to play their part’. make sure you are doing all you can own mental capital. Employers in all sectors, including the public Nick Clegg commented on the issues to give them the support they need by visiting advogroup.co.uk or by sector, can play an important by saying ‘Seventy million working calling 0845 2578833. role in supporting the health and days are lost as a result of mental wellbeing of their staff by providing health issues every year, costing healthy workplaces which support business £1,000 every year for each their employees’ mental health employee. Managing mental health and wellbeing. The framework at work well can save around 30% went on to say ‘Employment can of these costs - businesses cannot also be an important part of many afford not to take mental health people’s recovery from mental health seriously’.
Seventy million working days are lost as a result of mental health issues every year, costing business £1,000 every year for each employee
”
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 11
advogroup.co.uk | occupationally linkedin cancer deaths
5% of all cancer deaths in the uk are directly linked to occupational factors report uncovers the lid on which industries can prove fatal to your health cancerresearchuk.org An alarming 8,000 cancer deaths each year in Britain are directly linked occupations. This was the conclusion found in a study funded by The Health and Safety Executive and published earlier this year in the British Journal of Cancer. The startling statistic is equal to 5% of all cancer deaths in Britain each year. Several key occupational areas were identified as being particularly high risk for the onset of cancer. These included occupations which involved shift work or where contact with asbestos or diesel fumes was commonplace. Just under half of all the deaths within the study were found to be from male construction workers. These workers were were found to have the highest chance of coming into contact with a range of commonly cited carcinogens such as diesel engine exhaust fumes, silica, but most of all, asbestos. Secondary to asbestos, the next most prevalent occupational factor that was found to be linked in to cancer deaths was night shift work. The study found these night-time working patterns were found to be linked to approximately 1,960 cases of female breast cancer. The next highest occupational risk factor was mineral oils which are found in metal and printing industries. These were found to be linked to around 1,730 cases of lung, bladder and non-melanoma skin cancers. This
was followed by occupations which over exposed their employees to sunlight. This was found to be linked to roughly 1,540 cases of skin cases. Exposure to silica as an occupational factor was found to be linked in to 910 cancer cases and, lastly, exhaust fumes from diesel engines were found to be linked to 800 cases of cancer.
the researchers in the study used a comprehensive list of workrelated cancer causing substances as identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The lead author of the study, Dr Lesley Rushton, occupational epidemiologist at Imperial College London, commented on the study by Asbestos is thankfully no longer used saying within the construction industry. ‘We hope these findings will help However, significant risk can arise develop ways of reducing health risks when performing maintenance caused by exposure to carcinogens in work on much older buildings the workplace… The cancer with the where asbestos was used within the greatest number of cases and deaths building’s construction. Asbestos is linked to work is lung – a disease also particularly problematic as a which is hard to detect early and has cancer risk factor as asbestos-related poor survival. Over 30 occupational cancer cases can take a significant exposures have been identified by length of time to develop. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as definite or Looking at the more general trends probable lung cancer causing that the study uncovered, it was substances… One of the best ways we found that in total as many as 13,600 can beat the disease is by preventing new cases of cancer each year can it in the first place. Smoking has the be said to be caused by risk factors single biggest impact on lung cancer which are occupationally related. risk, but work-place risks are also In generating these statistics, having a significant effect.’
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 12
advogroup.co.uk | occupationally advogroup.co.uk linkedin cancer | contents deaths
“
Just under half of all the deaths within the study were found to be from male construction workers.
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 13 05
advogroup.co.uk | occupationally linked cancer deaths Sara Hiom, director of information at Cancer Research UK, commented on the research by saying “It’s very worrying to see so many people developing and dying from occupation-related cancers. A large proportion of the deaths are a result of exposure to asbestos in past decades and improved safety measures should mean that in the next generation or so we will see this number tail off dramatically. “The Health and Safety Executive has commissioned a review of the evidence on shift work and cancer – at the moment it’s still only classified as a probable cause of cancer. Once the review is complete in 2015, we will have a more definite understanding of the role it may play in influencing cancer risk. “At this point, we expect the government and employers to take fast and appropriate action to minimise the risks faced by workers and Cancer Research UK will be watching this closely.
“
we expect the government and employers to take fast and appropriate action to minimise the risks faced by workers and Cancer Research UK will be watching this closely
“
A large proportion of the deaths are a result of exposure to asbestos in past decades
commented ‘The results should help the Health and Safety Executive develop an evidence-based approach for occupational cancer control.
”
is still to come (Tan et al, 2010). This example may also help to understand why there are so few studies directly showing successful reduction of occupational cancer With lung cancer as the most following effective intervention. important occupational cancer However, given the robust evidence and treatment outcomes for this on the carcinogenic hazard of these cancer still being very poor and exposures, monitoring progress the effectiveness of lung cancer is probably best achieved by screening in the occupational setting monitoring exposure prevalence still debated, primary prevention and levels. In this context, results remains the best tool to reduce of an analysis of the Health and occupational lung cancer mortality. Safety Executive National Exposure Database showing that for 12 of the “Not smoking is the single most The use and manufacture of top 19 carcinogens (Cherrie et al, important thing that can reduce the asbestos, historically the most 2007) the average exposure levels likelihood of developing cancer - to important occupational carcinogen, between 1986 and 2001 were above put this in perspective, there are has been strictly reduced in the UK the current British occupational around 43,000 cancer deaths due since the 1970s. In the past, asbestos exposure limit are alarming and the to smoking in the UK each year. exposure occurred within industries new strategic initiative by Health and Maintaining a healthy weight, cutting such as shipbuilding, railway Safety Executive is both appreciated back on alcohol and taking plenty of engineering and asbestos product and needed.’ exercise can also have a big impact manufacture. Workers with the on reducing the risk of cancer.” highest risks today are likely to be Make sure you provide your those subject to incidental exposures employees with access to health care The argument for the prevention during the course of their work, should they need it. Speak to one of of the initial causes of cancer is for example, building maintenance the expert advisors at ADVO group something that was mirrored in the workers. Because of the long latency, today on 0845 2578833 or email words given by Dr K. Staff in the the peak of asbestos-related cancers info@advogroup.co.uk. forword for the study. Dr K. Staff
”
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 14
free review call now on 0845 2578833 or email info@advogroup.co.uk
your family your company yourself
info@advogroup.co.uk advogroup.co.uk
advogroup.co.uk | 5.7 million allergic to workplace
5.7 million people in the uk could be allergic to their workplace research from allergy uk shows alarming statistics on the effect of the office on our health allergyuk.org The summer holiday season is officially over and the nation is knuckling down to work. But Allergy UK is warning that the office could actually be bad for our health. The national charity estimates that at least 5.7 million people could be allergic to their workplace. Allergy UK carried out research amongst office workers, primarily allergy sufferers, to establish how commonplace ‘work fever’ is. From nasal problems, eye conditions, dry throats, breathing difficulties, lethargy, headaches and skin irritations, 95% of those questioned had experienced one or more of these symptoms in the office. But over a quarter (27%) said their symptoms were worsened by their office environment.
have some form of allergy, and with indoor allergies on the increase, Allergy UK has put the office under the microscope.
Having examined the hotspots within the home, Allergy UK has widely publicised advice on dealing with indoor allergies. But what happens when we go to work? We Worryingly, 62% of respondents had have little control over our working experienced itchy or watery eyes, and environment, so what affect is this 27% breathing difficulties over the having on our health? last year in their office. Allergy UK carried out research Alarmingly, over half of the group amongst office workers, surveyed had experienced an allergic primarily allergy sufferers, and reaction whilst at work. respondents were questioned on their office environment. The Maureen Jenkins, Director of results were enlightening. A large Clinical Services, Allergy UK says: amount of office workers surveyed “Much has been reported about had experienced worsening of their Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), allergic symptoms as a result of their the condition which focuses on the office environment. frequency of symptoms in buildings due to indoor climate problems and The results are of concern for chemical exposure. But Allergy UK Allergy UK because it is difficult has long been concerned about how for individuals to exercise the the workplace and how the office same control over their work environment actually impacts allergy place. Management of allergies sufferers. becomes increasingly difficult when in communal spaces, so it’s not By 2015, 50% of Europeans will surprising that a great deal of allergy
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 16
sufferers have experienced a reaction at work.
“
The results are of concern for Allergy UK because it is difficult for individuals to exercise the same control over their work place
”
This report outlines the results of the Allergy UK survey, supported by Forbo Flooring Systems, carried out amongst over 1000 allergy sufferers. From the research findings, Allergy UK estimates that at least 5.7 million people could be allergic to their work place. There are however, steps that both employees and employers can take to reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction at work. To prevent this figure from rising, Allergy UK believes more people need to understand what causes indoor allergies and be able to recognise the symptoms.”
advogroup.co.uk | 5.7 million allergic to workplace Office Hot Spots According to Allergy UK there are numerous ‘hotspots’ around the office that can have huge implications for allergy sufferers: • Lack of ventilation: the majority of those with prevalent symptoms at work do not consider their office to be well ventilated. Of the overall sample, only 15% said their office was well ventilated • Carpets: 90% of office workers surveyed reported their workplace has carpeted floors, but carpets and soft furnishings can harbour house dust mite allergen • Bookcases: 54% said they had open bookshelves, which when you remove books or items from the shelves, could disturb any dust that has collected, and can release the allergen into the atmosphere • Plants: 38% have plants in the office which can harbour moulds. Moulds release spores and it is these spores that cause allergic reactions. But even the people we are surrounded by in the workplace can trigger a reaction. 34% of respondents had a pet allergy; and could react to allergens (pet dander) brought in on people’s clothes, especially cat allergen. 61% of the office workers questioned sat within a metre of someone else, making the risk even greater. Cleanliness The survey showed that cleaning of offices is infrequent and doesn’t appear adequate enough to prevent the build up of house dust mites and allergens. 37% said their office is cleaned just once a week or less, while a worrying 17% (nearly one in five) said their office is cleaned infrequently. Productivity 20% of respondents spent eight hours or more at work. Combine this with visibly dusty and cluttered
desks, soft furnishings, poorly vacuumed carpets and a lack of ventilation and it is not conducive to a healthy working environment.
effective air purifier to help remove and reduce allergens such as pollen, house dust mite debris and mould spores
Allergies don’t just have an impact on the employee. According to the research, they are also having a significant effect on productivity.
• Review flooring and furnishings. Carpets on concrete floors can trap moisture allowing dust mites and mould spores to thrive. Opt for a smooth or flocked Allergy UK approved flooring that has been scientifically tested by Allergy UK and awarded the Seal of Approval. • Ensure that plants are regularly watered and the top soil removed regularly to avoid moulds, or cover with pea shingle
73% of those questioned took time off sick in the last 12 months; the majority of the workforce has had some form of sickness in the last year, which is not unusual. However, the real area of concern is that 42% of allergy sufferers took time off work because of their allergy. 14% of sufferers actually took between four and ten days off sick due to their allergy, figures that could be addressed by actively minimising allergens in the workplace.
“
42% of allergy sufferers took time off work because of their allergy
”
• Ensure office cleaners have effective cleaning methods and equipment such as a HEPA vacuum cleaner that will ensure that pollens and allergens are trapped adequately • Take control of your personal desk environment, keep it clear and uncluttered and damp dust twice a week • Hang coats away from the desk and ‘traffic’ areas to prevent dust and allergens from being disturbed and released into the air
There are steps that both employees and employers can take to reduce the • Drink plenty of water throughout the day and always ensure that you likelihood of an allergic reaction at take your prescribed preventative work. medication if you have asthma, rhinitis or eczema. To prevent this figure from rising, Allergy UK believes more people Do you have any top tips for how to need to understand what causes indoor allergies, such as house dust stay healthy in the office? If so then mite allergen, mould spores and pet share them with our community in dander and be able to recognise the our LinkedIn groups or tweet them to us @advogroup. symptoms: • Ventilation is extremely important. Whether it is windows, trickle vents or an air conditioning system. Ensure that you have clean air in and around you. If however you have hay fever sufferers in the office, keep windows closed for the first part of the morning and also late afternoon
See how ADVO Group can help to keep your employees healthy by speaking to one of our expert advisors now on 0845 2578833 or send us an email at info@advogroup.co.uk.
• If you have a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit installed, make sure it is regularly serviced • If ventilation is limited, use an
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 17
advogroup.co.uk |exclusive interview, resano occupational health
“
In the last 4-5 years I have noticed a vast improvement in the way safety is managed georgina mills, occupational health nurse advisor, director, resano occupational health
”
resano.co.uk ReSano Occupational Health provides a rage of tailored Occupational health and health Surveillance services specifically for the construction and manufacturing industries. In the latest in our exclusive interview series, we talk to Georgina Mills, Occupational health Nurse Advisor, Director, to discuss how occupational health and evolved within these particular industries, the predictions for the shape of things to come in the future and much more. What is it that makes ReSano unique?
solutions?
Our clients who have implemented essential statutory health In the last 4-5 years I have noticed a surveillance programs for their In an industry where systematic vast improvement in the way safety workforce and have seen the shroud evidenced based practice is routine, is managed in both the construction of uncertainty disappear are now ‘unique’ can be quite difficult to and manufacturing industries. The beginning to have a wider view on define in terms of working practice! strides that have been made in the impact of health at work. The From inception, ReSano aimed to understanding and implementing increasing number of toolbox talks provide accurate, professional occ the management of safety at its and wellbeing initiatives that we health provision to small & medium basic level has opened the door to a carry out are beginning to show us sized companies who may be greater inspection of the ‘health’ side that industry is not only thinking of accessing OH for the first time and of ‘health and safety’. occupational health in the sense of a needed that extra bit of support at statutory duty to their employee but the outset. From previous experience Where once it was a strange and as an investment in them, and their in the occupational health industry unusual site to see a nurse in a health. I had become disheartened with hard hat and safety boots on a the often expressed phrase of ‘we’re construction site, I now feel a How do you see this trends getting Occ Health in’. The health of real sense of appreciation and evolving into the future? your workforce is a huge asset to any understanding from both human company – Occ health should just resource and safety professionals. I can only hope that the strides that be there, part of the team that you Coming from a clinical background have been made thus far continue to employ to look after your assets. Our in ITU, where workforce health was grow. Dame Carol Black’s report – individuality comes with that frame a polar opposite of what I dealt with Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, of mind. We are part of the team. day to day, I understood from the really banged the drum to the outset the lack of connection that importance of a good occupational What particular trends could be perceived from a production health provision and the importance have you noticed emerging operative or site foreman who’s of improving the health of our in the manufacturing and health and wellbeing seemed to have working age population on a whole. construction industries with no connection with getting the job regard to occupation health done.
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 18
advogroup.co.uk | exclusive interview, resano occupational health
georgina mills resano occupational health advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 19
advogroup.co.uk | exclusive interview, resano occupational health We will continue to see more and more people working until later in life, and in industries such as construction and manufacturing where roles may be physically demanding this will throw a spotlight onto maintaining good health for longer. As companies begin to implement and gain a working knowledge of the benefits of statutory health surveillance and good attendance management, I have no doubt they will begin to widen their view on financial benefits of having a healthy, involved and appreciated workforce. What does your typical day at ReSano involve? I am still very much hands on as a OHA so a typical day is generally unheard of! I am involved of course in the running of the department as a whole – discussing requirements with new and existing clients, ensuring staff training and competence is up-to-date. On top of this I get out on to site regularly, carry out health surveillance and management referrals and liaise with our nurses to daily to thrash out any matters they have come across in the day. It can be a very lonely job carrying out on-site work so I try to keep communication regular. What is the most popular/indemand service you currently offer to clients? Why do you think this is? This would certainly be our On Site Statutory Health Surveillance, followed closely I might add by attendance management. The HSE have really begun to focus in on the way employers manage the health risks of their workforce and this has raised the awareness of their duty to their employee. ReSano’s on site service allows employers to have minimal disruption for their staff to attend their OH appointment whilst on site during their normal working time. There has been considerable research recently to suggest that many deaths within the UK are due to illnesses directly
linked to people’s professions such as the link between cancer and jobs which require working night shifts. Do you think there should be more pressure on employers within these professions to embrace occupational health solutions? There is already guidance under WTR that advise employers are required to ensure that workers are fit for night work and in addition, must offer a free health assessment to anyone who is about to start working nights and to all night workers on a regular basis. This often overseen by employers and is certainly an area that occupational health providers would highlight. What do you think is the number one workplace health issue that employers should be prioritising with their occupational health providers at the moment?
support the work carried out by Occupational Health.
“
it would be reassuring to know that a timely provision was in place to help support the work carried out by Occupational Health.
”
Are there any factors that can affect occupational health that you think the government could do more to address? (For example, legislation around working hours or information about unhealthy eating etc.)
The discussion of workplace health has many contributors, and is discussed widely in many arenas. The government is no exception and have taken steps to address That can be tricky, and would the current issues surrounding vary greatly between job roles. workplace health by commissioning Its questions like these that show the Black Report which this has the advantage of a well-executed allowed many OH Provides to focus risk assessment. However, the on key issues that affect the working manufacturing and construction population as a whole. My feelings industry as a whole I would are that the Black report stirred certainly priorities statutory health up many discussions and changes surveillance for those employees who are exposed to workplace health within the OH community but has yet to have a relative bearing on hazards. Prevention is better than employers. Further reviews have cure! emerged on the back of Dame Carols report, for example, the With occupational health sickness absence system – I hope looking at the health of a that the government will take the workforce as a whole, how information gained from this and important do think it is for along with the other reviews that employers to offer private will unquestionably springboard medical insurance to their from Black report and ensure employees as an employee greater influence on the manner in benefit? which legislation is communicated An offer of private medical insurance within businesses and ultimately implemented. as an employee benefit is certainly very appealing – if employers are finically able to provide access to this Don’t miss out on gaining FREE expert advice on how you kind of service for their employees can improve the health and it would be a great addition to productivity of your workforce. work alongside an occupational Speak to one of the expert health provision. Whilst the NHS advisors at ADVO Group today have excellent services, it would be on 0845 2578833 or email us at reassuring to know that a timely info@advogroup.co.uk. provision was in place to help
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 20
advogroup.co.uk | exclusive interview, resano occupational health
“
We will continue to see more and more people working until later in life, and in industries such as construction and manufacturing where roles may be physically demanding this will throw a spotlight onto maintaining good health for longer
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 21
advogroup.co.uk | workplace relationships under strain
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 22
advogroup.co.uk | workplace relationships under strain
Workplace relationships under strain as quarter of employees have experienced bullying at their workplace according to research from Canada Life Group Insurance canadalife.co.uk Workplace friendships and working relationships that go sour can damage the emotional health, productivity and motivation of the UK’s 29 million employees, according to research from Canada Life Group Insurance. The unfortunate findings of the research are that huge sections of the UK workforce have had first hand experience of significant conflicts with colleagues or have felt mistreated by those they work with. As many as over a quarter (26%) of those in the research said that they had experienced a senior colleague abuse their position of power within the company. 14% of those in the study even said that they had in fact been deliberately set up to fail at one of their tasks in the workplace by a colleague that they had a tense relationship with. 26% said that they had fallen out with at least one of their colleagues due to that colleague making their working life more difficult . 25% of those in the study also believed that they had been mistreated by those
they work with because of a sense of feeling ostracised in the office and unable to fit in with their colleagues. As well as the disheartening statistics being disappointing in their own right, they also have an adverse range of consequences for employers. These can include a decrease in the motivation and health of their workforce as well the costs in absenteeism as employees in some cases taking time off from work in order to avoid certain working relationships. It was found in the research that as many as one in ten have taking time off from work to avoid bullying in the workplace. 11% of those studied also reported that they had taken time off because they felt that they had not been treated properly by a line manager.
other findings were uncovered which unearthed a wider picture of tense or unprofessional workplace conduct between employees. It was found that as many as 3.7 million employees feel that they have been treated unfairly directly due to prolonged absence or illhealth. This directly contradicts they role managers and employers are supposed to be filling which is to fully support those employees who are finding themselves in these unfortunate circumstances.
A further interesting finding was that it was far more common for employees to report instances of either unfair criticism or undeserved praise of other employees (64%) than if they themselves were the ones in these situation (12%). 54% In addition to the directly reported of employees also said that certain first-hand instances of workplace colleagues of theirs are able to not bullying and tense working work as hard as they should in their relationships, role due simply to the friendships a series they have with other employees. of
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 23
advogroup.co.uk | workplace relationships under strain
“
Employers must ensure that they encourage employees to work together paul avis canada life group insurance 42% said that they have seen senior members of staff abusing their positions of power in the workplace and 47% said that after witnessing a falling out between employees, these colleagues then going out of their way to make their working life more difficult for one another. The research also found that employees were keen to keep their personal and professional lives very separate form each other, only 27% of those studied said they would talk to a colleague if they bumped into them outside of work. In addition, an enormous proportion of those studied (88%) said that they would actively avoid talking to someone they knew form work if they saw them whilst on holiday. Only 24% said that they would call any of their colleagues friends outside of work and only 6% said that they truly enjoyed socialising with, and enjoying the company of their colleagues outside of their workplace. Paul Avis, Sales and Marketing Director at Canada Life Group
”
Insurance commented on the research by saying
He further added ‘By offering employees access to support services and advice they ‘Many employees are under have the opportunity to discuss considerably more pressure than any problems they are having with they were several years ago, and colleagues, or problems with their this in turn can place a significant own work or personal life that strain upon workplace relationships. might be having an effect upon their However, cooperation and teamwork working relationships.’ are crucial to the success of any business. Employers must ensure With workplace relationships that they encourage employees to taking their toll on the health on work together – not only to ensure increasingly more workforces across their happiness and welfare, but also the UK it’s vitally important to make to facilitate a productive working sure your employees are as healthy environment’. as they possible can be.
“
Many employees are under considerably more pressure than they were several years ago, and this in turn can place a significant strain upon workplace relationships
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 24
”
Speak to one of the expert and truly independent advisors at ADVO Group today about how to get an employee benefits policy that will be perfectly tailored to suit the particular needs of your workforce and significantly boost your staff productivity. Don’t hesitate to get in touch now on 0845257 8833 or email us on info@advogroup.co.uk.
the latest occupational health news... straight to your inbox! subscribing to our news feed is quick, easy & 100% FREE subscribe now at news.advogroup.co.uk/subscribe
info@advogroup.co.uk advogroup.co.uk
advogroup.co.uk | workers pay for own safety equipment
one in five workers being forced to pay for their own safety equipment according to survey from the trades union congress tuc.org.uk A survey from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has found that as many as one in every five employees surveyed were having to pay for their own personal protective equipment (PPE). This is despite the fact that it is illegal for employers to fail to provide this equipment for their employees where necessary. The survey, which looked at 2,684 people, found that 11.6% reported that despite the fact that protective clothing was required within their place of work, their employers failed to pay for these essential items for them. In addition it was found that 8.9% of those surveyed had to pay for replacement personal protective equipment if the original PPE, which was supplied to them, was then damaged whilst carrying out their job. Overall, it was found that 20% of the respondents of the survey had to pay for providing all or part of their PPE, either from the outset, or as replacements items. An interesting demographical trend which emerged in the findings was that female employees were actually less likely than their male counterparts to have their PPE provided for them by their employers. It was found that as many as 15% of women had to provide their own PPE, either all of the equipment needed or part(s) of it. This was in contrast to the lower figure of 10.5% for men. It was also found that an often additional maintenance problem was involved in personal protective
clothing, even if the employer had provided the equipment. It was discovered that a startling 60% of those in the survey had to clean their equipment themselves or pay themselves to have it cleaned elsewhere. The law which surrounds these issues does in fact state that was well as it being illegal for employers to expect their employees to pay for the personal protective equipment which they need, it is also illegal for employers to expect their employees to pay for the maintenance of their equipment, which included any necessary cleaning. General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Brendan Barber commented on the results of the surveys by saying ‘The fact that so many employers are flaunting the law is an absolute scandal. Far too many workers are being forced to provide their own safety protection, whether footwear, boiler suits, overalls or gloves, and this abuse is widespread across a wide range of industries ranging from construction to catering. Even when equipment is provided it is often expected that the worker cleans it or replaces it
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 26
if damaged. Safety equipment is needed to ensure that workers are protected from injury or disease, yet there appears to be very little enforcement of the law. As a result many workers - often those in lowpaid service jobs like catering and cleaning - are having to fork out from their own pocket, or go without. This must stop. With the governments cutback of proactive inspections in the workplace this abuse can only grow’.
“
Far too many workers are being forced to provide their own safety protection, whether footwear, boiler suits, overalls or gloves, and this abuse is widespread
”
Don’t miss the latest news articles. Subscribe for free to the ADVO Group news feed at news.advogroup.co.uk/subscribe.
advogroup.co.uk | workers pay for own safety equipment
“
The fact that so many employers are flaunting the law is an absolute scandal brenden barber tuc general secretary
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 27 05
advogroup.co.uk | exclusive interview, indus occupational health
“
Occupational health has constantly evolved and adapted in the fifteen years I have been involved in Occupational health, and is continuing to do so ian watkinson, indus occupational health ltd indusocchealth.com
”
Since being established in 2002, Indus Occupational Health are an occupational health consultancy which focus on a rapid and flexible service. In our exclusive interview series, we talk with Ian Watkinson, Consultant Occupational Health Nurse & Managing Director, to discuss where a company should focus its occupational health focus, providing occupational health services for a diverse range of clients, how the industry has changed over the years and much more. About Indus Occupational Health
the main focus should be on bringing those prone to absenteeism back to work or Indus occupational health have been should the focus be directed incorporated since 2002, we provide at the larger rarely absent a bespoke occupational health proportion of the workforce to service across all industry sectors. make modest improvements We are a specialist consultancy in to their health to boost their occupational health, and assist our productivity? Which do you clients in managing the risks related believe would have a greater to health and the workplace in order overall beneficial effect for the to reduce the costs borne through employer? ill health: sickness absenteeism, compensation claims, reduced The second approach would productivity and training and hiring undoubtedly be the most effective if costs. it can be achieved, however this is much more complex and costly to One of the issues discussed implement. Improved rehabilitation, with ADVO Group in the and reduced absenteeism, will recent Boardroom Briefing reduce costs, however this alone from Health Insurance & will do little to improve the health Protection was that of where of the workforce as a whole. If a the focus should be directed programme seeking to improve the on improving the health of overall health of the workforce is a workforce. Do you think the goal, then a holistic approach
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 28
must be adopted. Any successful programme design would need to consider all the factors that affects their workforce’s health; both work and non-work related factors. What is it that makes Indus Occupational Health unique? Indus occupational health are unique in the rapidity, flexibility and quality of our service and the advice provided. I am personally on hand to discuss cases, and general occupational health issues, usually within 1 to 2 hours of first enquiry, an appointment can often be provided within 1-2 working days, and reports returned within 24 hours. A complete turnaround can be achieved within 3-4 days. We can quote for any job large or small and have a national network of OH subcontractors.
advogroup.co.uk | exclusive interview, indus occupational health
“
If a programme seeking to improve the overall health of the workforce is the goal, then a holistic approach must be adopted ian watkinson indus occupational health
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 29
advogroup.co.uk |exclusive interview, indus occupational health Larger providers cannot match this turnaround time, or depth of quality, or provide professional OH advice “on tap” as we do. They can, and will usually take several weeks to turn a job around, and all the time their employee is absent, and/or requiring specialist advice in order to allow them to work. We truly are a bespoke occupational health consultancy, this is a claim few providers can make. You have a wide range of clients across very different industries as well as across public and private sectors? What differences or trends has this presented in providing an occupational health service? Different workforces have different needs, that are often quite separate from the “face value” needs of the health issues and risks as they present. Organisational culture is
probably the biggest determinant of the effectiveness of an OH provision. The current main trending influence, is the need for employers to make efficiency savings. This often requires the enforcing a new culture on a previously settled workforce, and always has a detrimental effect on absenteeism. Conversely fear of redundancy can force employees to hide, or make less, of their condition which may create an unsafe situation.
“
Organisational culture is probably the biggest determinant of the effectiveness of an occupational health provision
”
How do you believe the occupational health industry has changed over recent time? …(Have the priorities of clients changed? Has the service or industry as a whole needed to adapt in any way at all?) Occupational health has constantly evolved and adapted in the 15 years I have been involved in OH, and is continuing to do so. Most providers are unique in their business philosophy. This is a reflection of the requirements of employers, which is extremely diverse, especially within the private sector. The public sector tends not to alter much in it’s requirements. I don’t believe that this level of diversity in requirements has particularly changed, it’s just that as the market has grown much bigger and created room for more approaches and philosophies.
“
The current main trending influence, is the need for employers to make efficiency savings. This often requires the enforcing a new culture on a previously settled workforce, and always has a detrimental effect on absenteeism
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 30
”
advogroup.co.uk | exclusive interview, indus occupational health What do you see as currently being the main challenges as well as opportunities for the occupational health industry? I am concerned with the growth of people untrained in occupational health trying to grab a piece of the action, I suppose this is inevitable given the size of the industry now. My challenge is unchanged over the last 15 years, to help employers to understand what they are able to do to effect change within their workforce, and help them to work effectively to achieve this. To help them understand that, correctly implemented, OH has significant benefits for their organisation. The opportunities are all that this current education gap presents. With Google recently being named as the company with the most improved employee happiness levels by research from CareerBliss, the importance for companies to manage the happiness of their workforces seems to be becoming increasingly important. How central do you see occupational health as being to this process? Firstly I would be concerned that a company would need a study to tell them that the happiness of their workforce is paramount! As for the involvement of occupational health, in it’s current form at least, I’m not sure. I think that happiness is achieved primarily through job satisfaction, and this is going to require a vast array of factors, although obviously things like gyms, counsellors and dietary advisors would play a small part. With occupational health looking at the health of a workforce as a whole, how important do think it is for employers to offer private medical insurance to their employees as an employee benefit?
benefits it brings, is always a massive help to me as an OH professional. The ability to buy in Physiotherapists and Psychotherapists in particular helps, unfortunately these are often not available or take too long on the NHS. It can be very frustrating to know that an employee can be helped by a particular therapy, and yet to know that they are unlikely to get this in their area. As for the workforce as a whole, this would depend on what services have been identified as useful, and the level at which they are taken up.
“
training, with my existing clients; as well as further develop my database of high quality practitioners. Long term I would love to focus more on organisational consultancy, and possibly legal training for practitioners. What does your typical day at Indus involve? I don’t have a typical day! every day has a different client with a different service. Three days on the same job is classed as a rest!
The ability to utilise private medical insurance and the benefits it brings, is always a massive help to me as an occupational health professional
I will usually either be doing a day of health surveillance medicals, or a bunch of employee consultations. Usually spread around, so I may be travelling to 2 or 3 different places, sometimes they are home visits. Sometimes they are combined with a visit to the shop floor. This can be a factory, office, garage, foundry, light engineering works, school, aircraft base, hospital, sewage works, leisure centre, ferry etc. etc. etc. wherever What is the popular/in-demand people work I go. I love this part of service you currently offer to the role, seeing what people do for a clients? Why do you think this living, and analysing the health risks is? present. I spend some of my day, on the phone talking to a new, or Popularity is in this order: sickness potential client, or discussing a case absence management, health or general issue. I also spend a little surveillance, risk assessment, drug time in meetings or presentations and alcohol and testing and healthy either developing new clients, or lifestyle promotion. I think that trying to educate the existing ones. tells it’s own story: sickness absence I spend until 9pm most evenings management reduces cost, health answering e-mails, compiling surveillance is a legal requirement. reports, doing quotes and the million I would love to do more risk other things that a small business assessments, organisational has to do! consultancy and lifestyle work, but the reality is that proactivity tends You can delve into a whole not to be seen as a long term benefit, host of exclusive interviews but a short term cost. just like Ian’s now at news/
”
What are the future plans for the company? Will there be any change in focusing on a particular area(s)?
My short term goals are to improve the efficiency of back room operations, as providing a first class front of house service comes at the cost of long hours and much Certainly when working with individual cases. The ability to utilise preparatory work. In the medium term I would like to develop more private medical insurance and the services, such as education and
advogroup.co.uk. You can also get the latest industry news sent straight to your inbox by subscribing for free at news. advogroup.co.uk/subscribe.
To discover how ADVO group can unlock the productivity of your workforce through improving their health speak to one of our expert advisors now on 0845 2578833.
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 31
advogroup.co.uk | the future of mindfulness
Is ‘mindfulness’ the future of employee stress management? The meditation-based approach builds momentum mindfulnes.org Mindfulnet launched its first ‘Mindfulness at Work’ conference earlier this year to promote its meditationcentred approach to coping with the day-to-day stresses of working life. The body of research and number of household name organisations that are supporting the approach seem to be building a increasing wave of momentum. However, the arguments for this new occupational health approach have not gone without criticism either. Aside from the body of research which seems to be supporting this new approach to stress management, one of the most eye-catching areas of support for the approach is the number of household company names which have fully embraced the approach. Transport for London, eBay, Google, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Prudential, the Home Office and the London Business School are just a few of the organisations who have launched the approach. So what exactly is this new approach to stress management? The Midfulnet website explains the approach by starting with describing the opposing state of mind; that of ‘mindlessness’. It likens mindlessness to situations such as where you may be driving to a certain destination and arrive only to fail to remember anything about the journey that you just took. Another familiar term the website gives which is often used to describe this state of mind is ‘going on auto pilot’. Mindfulness then, in contrast to mindlessness, seems to be about moving away from subconscious thoughts and about gaining a greater sense of self awareness about our own thought processes. The website describes
the mindfulness approach as the following ‘Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to, and seeing clearly whatever is happening in our lives. It will not eliminate life’s pressures, but it can help us respond to them in a calmer manner that benefits our heart, head, and body. It helps us recognise and step away from habitual, often unconscious emotional and physiological reactions to everyday events. It provides us with a scientifically researched approach to cultivating clarity, insight, and understanding. Practicing mindfulness allows us to be fully present in our life and work, and improve our quality of life.’ Kenneth Egelund Schmidt, chief information officer and vicepresident of the It division at Carlsberg has recently offered the mindfulness approach to all of the employees that he manages. He argues that as a regular practitioner of the approach himself, the benefits are clear. He comments ‘I realised that the turmoil, the noise and the information flow would never stop. It’s just a fact of life. So I needed the personal capability to cope with it on an ongoing basis. Mindfulness is a practical way to cope with all the noise in your head and the noise around you. It’s a way of letting go
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 32
of it and not letting it control you. By offering all my colleagues access to mindfulness skills, I’m actually getting each employee to take responsibility for coping with reality themselves, rather than shouldering the entire burden myself’.
“ ”
Mindfulness is a practical way to cope with all the noise in your head and the noise around you Schmidt also commented that one of the main challenges that he faced in promoting the approach at work was to get employees to move past any misconceptions they may have such as seeing the approach as simply being a set meditation exercises or seeing the approach as having certain other connotations. Schmidt seems to be typical of the type of individual who is trying to push through this approach into the workplace, as a senior member of staff within an organisation who claims to have personally reaped the benefits of the approach.
advogroup.co.uk | the future of mindfulness
“
the information flow would never stop. It’s just a fact of life. So I needed the personal capability to cope with it on an ongoing basis Kenneth Egelund Schmidt Carlsberg
”
Currently, leading occupational health professionals seem to be somewhat shying away from the approach but the number of organisations that are keen to learn more about the technique may change this in the future.
to actually reduce the level of the organisations are using mindfulness stress hormone Cortisol within those to increase resilience and studied. productivity, there are still relatively few documented examples. I plan to However, the momentum the draw together as many examples of mindfulness approach has been workplace interventions as possible gathering has faced some limitations and facilitate opportunities to based on criticisms of the supporting share knowledge and develop best As well as the number of companies research. Many have criticised the practice’. who are currently putting the quality of the supporting research mindfulness approach into practice, as having far too small sample sizes. Unsure about the best route there is also a body of research The shortage of lengthy corporate forward for improving the that seems to be lending significant research into the effects of the health of your workforce? support. For example, a study by approach seem to be the main Speak to one of the expert Holzel et al 2012 showed that the thorn in the side for mindfulness. advisors at ADVO Group now mindfulness approach could in However, the conference organiser on 0845 2578833 or email us on fact effectively calm the body down and founder of Mindfulness predicts info@advogroup.co.uk. during times of stress. An additional that the body of supporting research study by Tang et al 2008 argued that will only increase, she comments the mindfulness approach was able ‘Although a growing number of
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 33
advogroup.co.uk | cipd annual conference 2012
learning lessons from the volunteers of london 2012 cipd annual conference looks to highlight hr’s roles in change and transformation with focus on the games makers cipd.co.uk This year’s Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, taking place 6-8 November at Manchester Central, will focus on sharing the vital lessons that were learnt in human resources from the London 2012 Olympic Games. The conference will feature a keynote seminar from the London 2012 HR Director, Jean Tomlin, who devised the procedure for selection and training of the 70,000 Games maker volunteers which enabled the game’s diversity and legacy goals to be met.
“
Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of the London 2012 organising committee, commented on how vital Jean Tomlin’s role would be in the sucess of the 2012 games by saying ‘This is a crucial position within the London 2012 team... We need to attract and retain the best people for London 2012 to deliver the best Games ever, and Jean will make that happen. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that The volunteers that were organised represents London’s community’. by Jean Tomlin became seen by many as one of the central Jean Tomlin commented at the achievements of the 2012 games. time of her appointment as Human Resources Director for the games by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt saying commented on the success of the ‘The London 2012 Olympic Games volunteers by saying that they had and Paralympic Games is the changed the image of Britain with most exciting project around and I their ‘enormous smiles’. look forward to putting in place a world class team across a range of The Chief Executive of the specialities to deliver a spectacular London 2012 games, Sebastian London Games’. Coe, also expressed the excellent work undertaken by the ‘games maker’ volunteers by saying ‘The overwhelming expression of
I look forward to putting in place a world class team across a range of specialities to deliver a spectacular London Games
”
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 34
gratitude I get everywhere I go is the extraordinary work of our Games Makers. I think these Games are showing the best of us, the very best of British’. The British Olympic Association Chair, Lord Moynihan also expressed his appreciation for the work the volunteers undertook for the games by nominating them as a single entity for the coveted Sports Personality of the Year award. A noomination that many would be likely to support. With the unprecidented success of the volunteers and their central role in the London Olymmpics, Jean Tomlin’s insight into the organisation of this workforce will no doubt prove to be an invaluable insight into human resource practice. As well her experience with the London 2012 games, Jean Tomlin has a a huge range of experince within the human resource industry.
advogroup.co.uk | cipd annual conference 2012
“
The overwhelming expression of gratitude I get everywhere I go is the extraordinary work of our Games Makers sebastian coe
”
Some of her positions which preceded her appointment to the London 2012 games include being an advisor to the BBC on their programme for change, being Group HR Director at Marks & Spencer and HR Director of Egg plc.
Joining Jean Tomlin will be Wendy Cartwright, Director of Human Resources for the Olympic Delivery Authority. Wendy will be covering how to maximise performance and minimise staff disputes through gaining a deeper understanding of your employees, how to build Jean Tomlin will be joined at the strong support networks through conference by a host of other leading your business to enhance the HR figures vital in the successful loyalty of your staff and enhance running of the London 2012 games. staff retention and, lastly, how to All the figures will offer a different, develop a company culture that has a yet invaluable insight into the human consistency between both managers resource management that took and staff which will reduce the place behind the scenes of London possibility of employee conflict. Olympics.
Also present will be Steve Girdler, Director of London 2012 Partnership at Adecco. Steve’s Seminar ‘Keeping diversity on track: how to ensure that inclusion stays on the agenda’ will provide invaluable practical tips for how to make sure diversity becomes truly part of your organisation. The seminar will also look at how to make sure your organisation fully commits to the idea of diversity and values it as a high priority for the business as a whole. Steve will also be discussing the possible implications of the proposed government changes to the current legislation around equality.
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 35
advogroup.co.uk | cipd annual conference 2012
“
HR professionals need the opportunities to stand back and understand the wider context in which their organisations operate and learn from others peter cheese cipd
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 36
advogroup.co.uk | cipd annual conference 2012 Finally, the HR representatives from the London 2012 games will include Michele Owens, head of HR and organisation Effectiveness for the Olympic Delivery Authority. Michele’s seminar, entitled ‘OD as a driver for change and organisational performance’ will look at the various ways in which organisations can adapt to change easily by making the notion of change itself central to the company’s ethos. Peter Cheese, CEO at the CIPD commented on the upcoming conference by saying: “In a market and economic environment of great uncertainty and change, organisations that stand still will not survive and thrive. To have the confidence to innovate and courage to challenge the status quo, HR professionals need the opportunities to stand back and understand the wider context in which their organisations operate and learn from others, as well as share their own thinking. The line up of speakers at this year’s conference covers a wide spectrum of recognised thought leaders and leading practitioners, along with interactive workshops and showcases on the exhibition floor, which will provide a unique learning opportunity for all, and help in building better organisations company culture and revenues to the Other key speakers at the conference equipped for the future.” business.” will include Stuart Crabb, Head of Learning and Development With the success of the London at Facebook, David Fairhurst, 2012 games succeeding everyone’s Senior vice President and Chief expectations these semiars will People Officer at McDonald’s, provide a fasciating insight into Manual Monge, Corporate Head of a behind-the-scenes execution of resourcing at Nestle, Julie Parerhuman resources strategy. Welch, pensions strategy Specialist at Marks & Spencer and Linda In addition to the focus on the Kennedy, Group Human Resources London 2012 Olympics, the CIPD Director at Yell. conference will also include a keynote presentation from Gary For all the news on the CIPD Hamel who has been called ‘the 2012 conference as it happens David Milner, Manager of Consulting world’s leading expert on business as well as the rest of the leading at Kenexa (sponsors of this years strategy’ by the Fortune Magazine. human resource strories, be sure conference), commented by saying: Gary will be exploring the make to subscribe for free to the ADVO “In today’s economic climate, it’s or break issues and management Group news feed at all about getting the most out of challenges which are vital to news.advogroup.co.uk/subscribe. your workforce – how to bring the determining the future level of right talent into your organisation success for a business. The issues You can also find all of our published and maximise the talent you Gary will be focusing on are : values, news stories directly wihin our have. HR professionals who can innovation, adaptability, passion and Facebook page. Simply visit help their organisations do this ideology. facebook.com/advogroup. add tremendous value to their
“
In today’s economic climate, it’s all about getting the most out of your workforce David Milner Kenexa
”
“
The line up of speakers at this year’s conference covers a wide spectrum of recognised thought leaders and leading practitioners
”
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 37
advogroup.co.uk | sainsbury’s & the 2012 paralympics
sainsbury’s creates innovative employee satisfaction approach 5,000 employees make their way to Olympic park during the paralympic games sainsburys.co.uk Sainsbury’s have provided 5,000 of their employees from up and down the UK with the chance to visit the Olympic park to watch the Paralympic games. As a sponsor of the paralympic games, Sainsbury’s has exceeded the efforts of any other sponsor company in terms of the sheer number of employees it has been able to provide access to the games to. The 5,000 employees that arrived at the Olympic park were selected from the 150,000 total number of Sainsbury’s employees via a nomination system which was launched earlier in the year. The system required employees to nominate themselves of their colleagues to be able to visit the games by expressing why they would love the be able to represent the company. The 5,000 selected employees visited the Olympic park over one day but an additional 70 employees of the supermarket also visited the games with a guest of their choice during the paralympic closing ceremony.
really brings our sponsorship to life and is just one of the many opportunities we’ve given people to take part and raise awareness of the amazing skills and sportsmanship of the Paralympic athletes. There has been so much excitement about this event all year from when we first asked for nominations to attend until more recently when we ran a colleague t-shirt design competition. Our colleagues really wanted to let our customers know how proud they are that we are sponsoring the Games and now that all 150,000 Sainsbury’s colleagues will be wearing the winning design for the event at one moment in time - whether they’re at the Olympic In addition to the visitors to the park, Park, serving a customer in a store the entire workforce of the company or loading up a lorry - means we can wore celebratory t-shirts for the all show our support for the Games paralympic games which were also together. For nearly two years now, designed by Sainsbury’s employees. our colleagues have been getting behind the Paralympics and raising Director of Colleague Engagement awareness with our 22 million at Sainsbury’s, Jacki Connor, customers that come through our commented on the campaign by doors every week. So by taking them saying ‘We’re so proud to sponsor to watch the Games in action, is a the London 2012 Paralympic Games, way for us to say ‘thank you’, and and it’s fantastic to have 5,000 to celebrate their hard work and colleagues here today taking part in success.’ the events at the Olympic Park. It
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 38
“
There has been so much excitement about this event all year from when we first asked for nominations
”
Through several different key promotions and competitions, Sainsbury’s has given away 18,000 places to the paralympic games to both customers and employees of its stores. The supermarket was also able to provide 145 of its customers and employees with the chance to carry the olympic torch. Sending 5,000 of your employees to the paralympic games is undoubtedly an excellent way to create employee satisfaction but creating a satisfied, healthy and productive workforce doesn’t necessarily require such efforts. Simply speak to one of the advisors at ADVO Group now on 0845 2578833 to see how an employee benefits policy can give you the key to unlocking a truly satisfied, happy, healthy and more productive workforce than ever.
advogroup.co.uk | sainsbury’s & the 2012 paralympics
“
For nearly two years now, our colleagues have been getting behind the Paralympics and raising awareness with our 22 million customers that come through our doors every week. So by taking them to watch the Games in action, is a way for us to say ‘thank you’ jacki connor sainsburys
”
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 39
advogroup.co.uk | linkedin
the new online hub for human resource profesionals advo group’s new hr linkedin group ‘hr uk’ linkedin.com ADVO Group are proud to launch their brand new LinkedIn group ‘HR UK’. Whether you are a fully fledged LinkedIn addict or have never heard of this excellent professional social networking service, if you work in human resources then don’t miss the chance to join this group and have your say of the leading human resource issues. Social media lies at the very heart of the online activity of ADVO Group and ADVO Group’s well established LinkedIn group ‘Health Insurance Industry UK’ has established itself as one of the leading online areas for professionals working in, or simply with an interest in, the UK health insurance industry. The group enables the members to keep up to date with the breaking news stories, join discussions, start discussions of their own, vote in polls and connect and engage with other professionals in the industry. As successful as this group has been, ADVO Group felt that it was time to give the human resource professionals that so frequently visit the company website, LinkedIn group and other social media channels, a fully dedicated online area to call their own. Thus the new LinkedIn group ‘HR UK’ was set up and has already seen a fantastic response. For those readers that are LinkedIn savvy, simply search for ‘HR UK’ under the group filter and you will find our new group. We pride ourselves on monitoring membership requests continuously so you won’t find yourself having those never-ending waits for confirmations of membership requests that can be so infuriating
with so many LinkedIn groups.
You can also find us on a host of other social networking sites For those readers that are unfamiliar including Facebook where you can with LinkedIn, as of the start of see the latest copy of Advocate, the August this year, this professional latest news, our current newsletter, networking site had over 175 company photos and more, Twitter, million members from more than where we have over 5,600 followers, 200 countries worldwide. In the Google+, where we are leading UK alone, there were more than 9 the way in the industry for our million members. With these two continuously updated content and groups from ADVO Group now fully sharing, YouTube and Issuu, the active on the site, there has never home of Advocate magazine. been better to get involved and have your say. Don’t just our word for it though on how great our social media channels are! Check out the testimonials below to see how we are leading the way with our social media activity ...
“
as of the start of August this year, this professional networking site had over 175 million members from more than 200 countries worldwide
‘You all are definitely on top of your content. You’re a social media inspiration. Thank you for following us!’ ‘This group is fantastic and gives some extremely valuable insight into the expat market!’ ‘I look forward to the discussions and connecting with new people’ ‘Check out @ADVOGroup for As well as the two discussion and great articles and news related to networking groups, you can also find employee healthcare benefits’. the ADVO Group company LinkedIn profile. Here you will find our more corporate company information with everything you need to know about our services and what we can offer you, your family or your business.
”
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 40
advogroup.co.uk | linkedin
“
With these two groups from ADVO Group now fully active on the site, there has never been better to get involved and have your say
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 41 05
advogroup.co.uk |google’s leap in employee happiness
google makes the biggest leap in employee happiness the search giant tops the table in the 2012 leap awards careerbliss.com CareerBliss has recently published the winners in its 2012 Leap Awards. These unique awards look at the companies over the last year that have made the latest overall leap forwards in the happiness of their employees. Topping the league table this year, amongst a host of household names, was technology giant Google! A multitude of factors were taken into consideration when judging how successful the companies had been in increasing the happiness of their employees. The awards looked at the employees work-life balance, their relationships with the bosses and colleagues, their work environment, job resources available, compensation, opportunities for growth within the company, the company culture, the company’s wider reputation within the marketplace, the daily tasks that the employees undertook and lastly, the job control over the work performed on a daily basis. The employees themselves gave their companies scores from one to five for all of these categories. The results were then compares with the preceding year to assess the companies which had made the biggest overall step forwards in improving their employee’s happiess.
in the top ten list has scores ranging only from 12.74% - 20.66%.
year truly working towards creating a better company culture and happier employees ... It is interesting to see Google’s success in this year’s awards companies on this list raise their sees them return to the number one employee happiness from 12 percent spot which they previously secured to nearly 37 percent in just one back in 2010. 2011 saw a significant year. This is certainly great news decline in Google’s overall score, so for companies who see retention this year’s success for the company and employee wellbeing as a key is quite a bounce back. Part of their factor to their success, since they return to form must be attributed to can make great strides in this area how their employees scored them in in just one year ... Many of these the ‘support and growth’ category companies are well on their way to in particular, which saw their score making our Happiest Companies list, improve by an astonishing 80%. which will be out later this year. At CareerBliss, we feel it is important to CTO and Co-founder of CareerBliss, recognize growth as both companies Matt Miller, commented on Google’s and employees can learn from these success in the awards by saying companies and their commitment to “Google tells an interesting story, change.” of how dynamic a workplace can change in just one year”. Which company do you think will take home the title in 2013? Do you think Google will see another slip in it’s number 1 spot? Make sure you don’t miss next years results or any In total, fifty companies were other essential human resources included in the final list but the news by subscribing for FREE to the companies who made the top ten ADVO Group news feed at all scored over 12% improvment in news.advogroup.co.uk/subscribe. their employee’s happiness scores. You can also check out the very latest However, the improvement level that news right now by simply visiting Google achieved was significantly news.advogroup.co.uk. higher than any of the other CEO and co-founder of CareerBliss, comapies listed in top ten. Google’s Heidi Golledge commented on this improvement score was an extremely years awards by saying impressive 36.74% whereas the “The Bliss Leap Award honors scores for the other nine companies companies who have spent the last
“
Google tells an interesting story, of how dynamic a workplace can change in just one year
”
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 42
advogroup.co.uk | google’s leap in employee happiness rank
company
average salary
bliss rating
increase in happiness
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Google Supermedia Unisys GE Capital Rockwell Collins Ernst & Young Dyncorp Applied Materials Coca-Cola Aecom Sunguard Disney-ABC Television Honeywell ADT Security Intuit First American Title ExxonMobil Agilent Technologies Texas Instruments Chevrolet Nokia Ricoh Advanced Composites Solutions FedEx Ground McDonald’s Baxter International ADP Honda Motor Co. CGI Flextronics Capital One Amgen Qwest IKON Office Solutions JPMorgan Chase Motorola Affiliated Computer Services Fluor Toys R Us Clearwire Boeing Sony Abbott Laboratories BAE Systems Wipro Time Warner Cable Safeway Booz Allen Hamilton Johnson Controls Enterprise Rent-A-Car
$73,263 $63,013 $70,057 $71,516 $76,398 $74,393 $74,481 $78,339 $52,948 $71,108 $76,248 $64,814 $69,666 $45,787 $77,012 $55,820 $53,410 $81,990 $74,418 $53,402 $87,375 $58,357 $47,432 $38,753 $28,244 $65,561 $63,549 $54,254 $74,239 $56,400 $60,304 $79,334 $65,312 $47,773 $61,724 $81,178 $56,408 $80,513 $36,142 $60,121 $78,642 $64,695 $70,493 $78,780 $72,558 $47,557 $45,181 $89,358 $61.960 $42,814
4.312 4.113 3.965 4.538 4.050 4.293 4.258 4.231 4.206 4.309 3.835 3.888 4.145 3.783 4.021 3.963 4.082 4.288 4.491 4.042 4.224 3.858 3.533 4.105 3.800 4.420 4.124 3.911 4.289 4.117 4.145 4.344 3.747 4.198 4.049 4.170 4.069 4.327 4.032 3.759 4.191 3.712 4.322 4.123 4.262 4.063 3.659 3.940 3.970 3.974
36.74% 20.66% 20.07% 19.45% 17.60% 15.91% 14.39% 13.19% 12.79% 12.74% 12.13% 11.40% 11.26% 11.11% 11.01% 10.67% 10.66% 10.38% 9.83% 9.23% 9.10% 9.00% 8.88% 8.84% 8.70% 8.61% 8.51% 8.15% 8.11% 7.93% 7.22% 7.20% 6.68% 6.63% 6.61% 6.59% 6.56% 6.29% 6.22% 6.15% 6.09% 5.87% 5.87% 5.78% 5.76% 5.46% 5.35% 5.34% 5.23% 4.75%
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 43
advogroup.co.uk | would richard branson be your ideal boss?
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 44
advogroup.co.uk | would richard branson be your ideal boss?
would richard branson be your ideal boss? the virgin ceo tops the list in management style for his infamous laid-back approach news.advogroup.co.uk Recent research from recruitment consultants Reed, carried out by YouGov, asked people to vote for a celebrity boss they would choose as their manager based on the celebrities’ well know differing management styles. Virgin boss Richard Branson and his accompanying infamously informal and relaxed approach topped the list with 26% of the poll votes. The popularity of Richard Branson’s relaxed approach to business management was set in incredibly stark contrast to the lack of popularity for a far more domineering approach represented by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey. Only 1% of those who took part in the poll voted for Gordon Ramsey as their ideal manager and only 4% said that they would favour a dominant manger.
their managers and 33% said that their bosses remained calm under pressure. One of the more general trends found within the research was that 30% sought the attribute of fairness in their managers, 20% would most value their bosses to be relaxed and 19% said they would want an inspirational manager.
Tom Lovell, group managing director of Reed, added: “With a good manager often making the difference of whether someone loves or hates a job, our research showed The wider results from the study that many of the UK’s managers do painted a generally encouraging display the qualities that are most picture for how the UK workforce desired by workers, such as calmness feels about their bosses and their under pressure and freedom to accompanying management styles. work without micro-management. It was found that 65% of those We understand how exceptional studying described their managers managers can make a huge as ‘good’. Just under half (47%) said difference to the performance of any they have the autonomy within their organisation, both through their own workplace to get on with their roles actions and the positive impact they without being interrupted by an over can have on the teams around them. micro-managing of their work. 47% So, with nearly half (44%) of workers of those in the study also said they saying their manager deserves more were made to feel comfortable at recognition, we are urging them work, 36% said that they were given to nominate their boss for REED proper constructive criticism from Manager of the Year 2012.” The research was carried out as part of Reed’s attempts to find the best managers within the country.
“
With a good manager often making the difference of whether someone loves or hates a job, our research showed that many of the UK’s managers do display the qualities that are most desired by workers
”
Let us know your thoughts on what you think makes a great boss by getting in touch on twitter @advogroup. If you are an employer, how do you think you fair for creating satisfaction in your employees? To find out how an employee benefits policy could benefit both you and your employees get in touch now with one of the expert advisors at ADVO Group on 0845 2578833 or email us at info@advogroup.co.uk.
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 45
advogroup.co.uk | advo group’s award shortlisting
advo group shortlisted for leading industry awards shortlisted at both the cover excellence and health insurance awards 2012 advogroup.co.uk ADVO Group are proud to announce that they have been shortlisted for three award categories at the upcoming Cover Excellence Awards 2012. ADVO Group are shortlisted for Employee Benefits Intermediary of the Year, Healthcare Intermediary of the Year and Customer Service. In addition ADVO group have also been shortlisted for the category of Best Cash Plans Intermediary at the 2012 Health Insurance Awards. ADVO Group have won the title of Healthcare Intermediary of the Year at the Cover Excellence Awards for the last two years running so will be looking to make it an incredible three years in a row to win the award.
Excellence Awards 2012 promises to be an evening of style, sophistication, glitz and glamour, and where achievements of those in the health and protection industry are rewarded.
ADVO Group’s Corporate Director, Colin Boxall, commented on the incredible triple award nomination by saying ‘ADVO is already one of the very few Intermediaries to receive multiple awards, but to be winners two years running at the Cover Excellence Awards and then to be short-listed again is an incredible achievement. Of the three Awards we have been shortlisted this year the one that means the most to me personally is the Customer Service Award. ADVO’s core has always been to ensure Clients get the very best not only from us but their providers too.’
With separate awards for providers and intermediaries, these prestigious awards highlight the dedication and hard work that all those across the industry have given to the sector, as well as recognise their invaluable efforts in ensuring consumers are fully and properly protected’.
Taking place at the Victoria Park Plaza, London, on the 4th October, this year’s award ceremony as central an award evening to the industry as ever. The official website for the award evening describes the upcoming event ‘As with every year, the COVER
“
these prestigious awards highlight the dedication and hard work that all those across the industry have given to the sector
”
Amongst the judges this year are Paul Robertson from Cover Magazine, the parent magazine of the award ceremony and Nick Kirwan from the Association of
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 46
British Insurers. The recent announcement that ADVO Group have been confirmed as shortlisted for the 2012 Health insurance awards for Best Cash Plans Intermediary is also huge news at ADVO Group. Taking place at Grosvenor House, London, on the 18th October, this year’s ceremony will mark the thirteenth year of the awards and will look to be bigger than ever before. ADVO Group have been winners at the Health Insurance awards before, but have never won this particular award so will be keen to add this title to those previously awarded. To find out if ADVO Group wins at the upcoming award ceremonies make sure you subscribe for free to the ADVO Group news feed at news.advogroup.co.uk/subscribe.
advogroup.co.uk | advo group’s award shortlisting
“
Of the three Awards we have been shortlisted this year the one that means the most to me personally is the Customer Service Award. colin boxall advo group
”
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 47
advogroup.co.uk | advo individuals website relaunched
your number one resource for individual private medical insurance advo group relaunches ‘advo individuals’ website individuals.advogroup.co.uk There has never been a better time to protect yourself with a private medical insurance policy. Whether a traditional private medical insurance policy, international private medical insurance or a cash plan, you will find all the information and advice you need at individuals.advogroup.co.uk. The new individual focused website provides great information about a range of individual products.
place to cover the costs, should the need arise.
individual medical insurance policy types the choice within the market can be overwhelming and it is vital Also available are details on Cash that you get the policy that exactly These products include Individual Plans. Cash plans are an increasingly matches your particular needs. Private Medical Insurance, the popular form of private medical Speaking to one of our expert, benefits of which are perhaps more insurance. Cash plans are there to independent advisors will enable pronounced now than ever before. cover you up to a certain limit for you to get the perfect policy for your The ability to be seen and treated those day-to-day medical expenses needs. far quicker than would otherwise that, without a cash plan in place, be available on the National can quickly mount up to a significant Advising on cash plans is also Health Service (NHS), being able sum. With different cash plans something ADVO Group have to determine where and when you offering financial cover for a wide recently been recognised for through receive your medical treatment and range of medical procedures and our shortlisting for the caregory of having access to the best treatments services such as over-night stays Best Cash plans Intermediary at the available private medical insurance in hospital, glasses, dental bills, 2012 Health insurance Awards. are just some of the excellent physiotherapy, chiropractor and features that makes private medical many more. Cash plans are seen by An excellent additional feature to the insurance an increasingly popular many as being one of the most cost- new individuals website is the ability option.’ effective private medical insurance to be abel to get a quote for all of the solutions on the market where they mentioned policy types by simply Also included are details on can in some cases pay back five times entering your details. Individual international private what they cost (source). medical insurance. This is an To view all the details on individual essential private medical insurance Cash plans work by being able to private medical insurance and to policy for anyone either living abroad claim back, up to a certain point, the obtain your free quotations simply or looking to move overseas. With expenses you may incur for medical visit individuals.advogroup.co.uk. the option of the National Health treatment. These expenses are Alternatively speak to one of our Service (NHS) no longer available claimed by submitting the receipt of advisors direct on 0845 2578833 or when moving abroad and with the the medical treatment to the insurer email us at info@advogroup.co.uk. cost of medical treatment often with which the cash plan policy is extremely expensive in many parts of held. the world, its incredibly important to make sure you have the protection in With each of these available
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 48
advogroup.co.uk | advo individuals website relaunched
“
Whether a traditional private medical insurance policy, international private medical insurance or a cash plan, you will find all the information and advice you need at individuals.advogroup.co.uk
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 49
advogroup.co.uk | thanks for reading
thank you for reading see you in the winter for the next edition of advocate magazine! issuu.com/advogroup Thanks for catching up with us here at ADVO Group for this Autumn edition of Advocate magazine. Advocate will be back once again in the winter to provide you with the very best human resource, occupational health, employee benefit and private medical insurance news, interview, features and more! ADVO Group’s account on Issuu.com will continue to be the primary home for Advocate magazine but you will also be able to find the magazine within our Facebook page at Facebook.com/ advogroup. The next, winter edition of Advocate magazine will be looking at the familar themes you come to expect from the magazine. However, the winter edition will also be providing a retrospective, looking back at all the biggest news and stories from 2012 as well as looking ahead to the market trends and predictions for the coming year ahead. The best way to stay in touch is by subscribing to the news section on the ADVO Group website. You can do this by entering your email address at news.advogroup.co.uk/subscribe. The subscription process is incredibly simply and best of all; it’s absolutely free! If you’ve got a story that you think belongs in Advocate magazine, whether it’s news focusing on PMI, HR, occupational health, if you’d like to be interviewed or if you think you can provide a fascinating prediction for the industry as we move towards 2013 then don’t hesitate to get in touch. Send in your inquiries to cfiander@advogroup.co.uk
Just to remind you about who we are and what we can offer, ADVO Group is a multi award winning employee health benefit advisory looking after the requirements of many customers, from small businesses right up to multi national corporations. Whatever youre private medical insurance or employee benefit needs, we are here to help. We offer entirely indepent, free and expert advice so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a ring on 0845 2578833. You can also email us at info@advogroup.co.uk. In case you missed our key contacts at the start of the magazine youcan get in touch with any of them on the contact details below. Larry Bulmer Chief Executive lbulmer@advogroup.co.uk Colin Boxall Director, Corporate cboxall@advogroup.co.uk Chris McCracken Director, Commercial cmccracken@advogroup.co.uk Sharon Harwood-Davis Consultant Manager sharwood-davis@advogroup.co.uk Yvette Butterworth Corporate Manager ybutterworth@advogroup.co.uk
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 50
You can also get in touch by calling us on 0845 2578833, faxing us on 01622 769211. We also have three offices across the country. Head office: ADVO House St Leonards Road Allington Kent ME16 0LS London Office: Essex Hall 1-6 Essex Street London WC2R 3HU Oxford Office: 8 Old Station Yard Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 3LD You can also get in touch through any of our social media channels. You can find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google+. Thanks again for reading and see you in the winter for the next edition of Advocate magazine.
chris fiander onlie marketing manager advo group
advogroup.co.uk | thanks for reading
“
the winter edition will be providing a retrospective, looking back at all the biggest news and stories from 2012 as well as looking ahead
�
advocate summer 2012 | advogroup.co.uk | 51
For more information on Advo Group Limited, visit our website www.advogroup.co.uk Advo Group Limited, ADVO House, St Leonards Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0LS is registered in England (No. 4500663) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.