Prevention better than well-being cures 


Well-being programmes are not a substitute for stopping workers becoming ill and employers must address issues such as long hours, stress, unsafe conditions, and a lack of respect at work, according to TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady. 


New TUC guidance on work and well-being emphasises that healthy work must lie in prevention of injuries and illnesses, and changing the workplace through encouraging better working relationships, greater respect for workers, and improved involvement of unions. 


In addition, it says that many of the other initiatives that are seen as being part of a well-being programme — such as encouraging cycling or walking to work, supporting gym membership or exercise classes and promoting healthy eating — are important, and union workplace reps have a key role to play in encouraging management to provide them.


https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/work-and-well-being-2015.pdf