West Midlands SMEs encouraged to Thrive at Work

Supt Sean Russell, director of implementation for health and wellbeing at the WMCA

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is urging local SMEs to sign up for a free programme of support called Thrive at Work which aims to boost employee well being and health in an attempt to reduce the up to £250,000 per year being lost in avoidable sickness absences.

Thrive at Work is offering grants of up to £12,000 to help employers boost productivity, and it is hoping to get 148 companies to sign up to the programme before the deadline expires on 14 September. As well as grants, the programme offers a free toolkit to firms which consists of support, advice and accreditation for firms with between 10 and 250 employees across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Sean Russell, director of implementation for health and well being at WMCA, who heads up the Thrive at Work pilot said:”Mental health and long-term sickness can have a huge impact on a small business’s bottom line. Staff needing time off for stress and mental health conditions can be better supported to remain in work, or return to work sooner, and that helps with consistency, recruitment and, ultimately, profitability.”

Any business that wants to join the programme must sign a declaration committing their organisation to full implementation of the programme, thereafter they will be provided with the tools and support to make it work.

Researchers will evaluate how the programme is implemented, interview employees to gauge its effectiveness, and businesses will be asked to feedback how the commitment is working, its costs and effects.

Russell added:”We wan to equip businesses with the right tools to look after their employees’ health and well being, and, in turn, to look after their business.”

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