RECOVERING AT WORK AND RESILIENCE
BY KU EMPLOYEE WELLNESS AND SAFETY TEAM
Successful workplace health and safety has been
traditionally viewed as a strictly risk minimisation
activity that is the minimisation of negative
situations occurring e.g. no serious incidents
reported. However, a single focus on avoiding
things going wrong can have a detrimental
effect on our attitude and mindset, resulting in
undesirable and often unintended outcomes e.g.
inadequate reporting of incidents. KU recognises
a positive approac h to health and safety is crucial
to maintaining a thriving workplace, key to this is
embedding an integrated health and safety culture
across the organisation.
KU takes a proactive approach to wellness, health
and safety and strives to keep employees free from
risk and harm. However, the unavoidable reality is
that sometimes things can go wrong in a workplace.
When we experience a setback, how we choose to
approach the situation will influence the outcome.
Recovering at work
A common misconception is the notion that it
is best to take time away from work to “focus
on getting better”. Research has found that the
psychological and social impacts of work positively
contribute to recovery and work absence is likely to
impede progress 1 . The World Health Organisation
have identified social factors which influence
health, and which are hindered by work absence,
including; income and social status, social support
networks, employment/working conditions and the
person’s social and physical environment 2 . When
individuals experience an absence from work for
medium to long periods of time it can result in loss
of self-esteem, standing and identity within the
community, as well as a halt in social participation
and fulfillment 3 .
OCTOBER 2018
A research review by Professor Gordon Waddell
and Professor Kim Burton, ‘Is Work Good for Your
Health and Well-being?’, concludes that there is a
strong evidence base that work is generally good
for physical and mental well-being. Perhaps the
most noteworthy finding is that the health benefits
of work are much greater than the harmful effects
of prolonged absence 4 .
KU supports employees’ early return to work for
both work related and non-work related injuries
and illnesses. The health benefits associated with
an early return to work include:
Faster recovery
Better treatment outcomes
Lower risk of permanent impairment
Lower medical costs
Faster return to work
Less risk of secondary injuries
Resilience
Mental and physical health is fundamentally
linked. We understand that a holistic approach
to employee wellness and safety includes
considering both physical and mental health
together. Workplaces that have embedded a
culture that supports employee wellbeing provide
an environment where employees feel supported
to grow and are reassured of their ability during
periods of difficulty. KU promotes professional
development and learning to allow employees to
become better equipped to adapt to changes and
challenges that arise in our workplace. Building
resilience involves behaviours, thoughts and actions
which can be learned, practised and will eventually
become integral to who we are as individuals 5 .
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