Prioritising Employee Health: A World Health Day Special

Guest 1: Kelly Nicoll, President-Elect, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

Kelly Nicoll is a Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Kelly has over 15 years’ of experience in safety, health and environment, mental health and wellbeing, and impactful training. She has served a wide range of organisations and industry sectors, working nationally and internationally throughout her career. Her key driver is the belief that everyone should get to go home at the end of every day of work, no matter where they are in the world.

Questions

• With over 15 years of experience in safety, health, and environment, how have you seen the conversation around mental health in the workplace evolve, and what impact has this evolution had on the way organisations approach employee wellbeing?
• Your key driver is the belief that everyone should safely return home at the end of the workday. Can you share a pivotal moment or experience in your career that solidified this belief, particularly regarding mental health and wellbeing?
• What are some of the most effective strategies you’ve seen implemented to promote mental health and wellbeing in the workplace? How do these strategies differ across industries and cultures?
• What are some of the biggest challenges you foresee in the coming years related to workplace mental health, and how might organisations preemptively address them?
• What universal piece of advice would you give to companies looking to prioritise their employees’ mental health and wellbeing effectively, regardless of their size or sector?

Guest 2 – Peter Grinbergs

Peter Grinbergs is a physiotherapist and the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder at MSK health tech company EQL. Peter has years of experience of working closely with employers, health insurers and the NHS to develop and implement solutions that widen access to musculoskeletal care and improve workforce health.

Questions

• Could you share some innovative approaches or technologies that have significantly impacted musculoskeletal care in the workplace? How have these innovations improved employee health outcomes?
• From your experience working with employers and health insurers, how important is early intervention in managing musculoskeletal issues among employees, and what strategies have proven most effective in facilitating this?
• Can you discuss the integration of musculoskeletal health into overall employee wellness programs? What are some key components that should be included to ensure a holistic approach to employee health?
• What are some of the most common challenges employers face when trying to manage musculoskeletal health within their workforce? How can these challenges be overcome, and are there any examples of success stories you can share?
• How do you see the approach to physical and specifically musculoskeletal health in the workplace evolving in the post-pandemic era? Are there any new trends or changes you anticipate will gain momentum, especially in relation to remote or hybrid work environments?