North West has highest sickness rate in the UK

THE North West officially has the highest sickness rate in the UK, according to the 2015 Sickness Absence Survey report, published by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation and employee benefits company Jelf. The business survey, the largest of its kind, shows that 6.2 days a year are lost to sickness per person in the North West; up from 5.6 days a year previously and enough to see the region outstrip all other areas of the UK. The North West also sees the highest sickness rate in the UK at 2.7%; this compares to just 1.8% in the West Midlands, which has the lowest rate in the UK, and to 2.2%, which is the national average.  After reaching a record low, overall sickness rates have started to creep up. This suggests that the days of 'presenteeism'; a trend particularly noticed around the time of the recession; are over. Nationally, 5.1 days a year were lost in 2014 compared to 4.8 days the year before and the report says that employers are struggling to address mental health issues in the workplace amidst growing concern at long term absence trends. The number of manual workers reporting 0 absence has fallen for the 1st time in 5 years, while only 55% of companies hit their absence target last year; the lowest since 2008. More worryingly, when it comes to long term absence 40% of companies saw an increase last year; the largest increase in 5 years. While back pain and musculoskeletal disorders remain the biggest cause of long term absence (34%), stress and mental health disorders are ranked as the most difficult to make workplace adjustments for (32%). Furthermore, a third of employers said that:- "they do not have a system in place for managing mental health related long term absence."  The survey also shows that employers' approach to managing absence remains mixed. Encouragingly, the number of companies setting absence targets is increasing (33% have no target compared to 40% last year) and 40% can make workplace adjustments or provide training to manage long term absence.  In contrast, almost ¾ of companies don't measure the cost of sickness absence, while 70% don't measure the return on their investment for the health and well being benefits they offer. According to EEF, the new Fit for Work service will be critical in reducing long-term absence, especially musculoskeletal disorders and mental health issues, and the report contains a number of recommendations on how to make the service succeed.

Darrell Matthews, North West Region Director at EEF, says:- "While overall levels remain low, there continues to be a marked difference between short and long term absence, which is creeping upwards. Without a renewed effort to tackle the root causes it will continue to act as a drag on the economy and a brake on efforts to improve productivity and boost growth. Of particular concern is the gradual increase in stress and mental health related problems over the last 5 years, which GPs and employers are struggling to deal with. As a society we can no longer ignore the very real impact of these issues both on the individuals concerned and the wider economy. While employers and GPs appear able to manage other causes of absence they must now be given the tools to deal with stress and mental health issues in the same way."

EEF will be presenting the report's findings at the national Safety and Health Expo in London. North West businesses interested in finding out more about the support available to help them with workplace issues, including sickness absence, should click on here.

Street in Granby, Liverpool 8 named as finalist for 'Street of the Year' award

A Street in Granby in Liverpool which is undergoing radical regeneration has been nominated as 'Street of the Year'. The nomination for Cairns Street by the Academy of Urbanism comes weeks after Granby 4 Streets architects Assemble were nominated for the prestigious Turner Prize for their work on the scheme.  This award is given by the Academy of Urbanism, covering the UK and Ireland and award nominations are made by members of the Academy, not by representatives of the streets themselves. Awards given cover places, neighbourhoods and towns as well as the 1  for individual streets.  Cairns Street resident Hazel Tilley, part of the Community Land Trust currently working with other partners in the City to renovate the 150 formerly empty houses in the four remaining original Granby streets said:- "I'm delighted that Cairns Street has been nominated for this, which is not to take anything away from the good work being done in the other three Granby streets. But if this recognition helps with what we're all trying to do here, and I think it will, then I'm all for it."

Liverpool City Council Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann O'Byrne, who is a long time supporter of Granby Four Streets, said:- "This nomination is yet more confirmation that people across the Country are noticing that something very special is happening in Liverpool in the Four Streets, led as much by the people of these streets as anyone else. They've both suggested and helped to knit together the partnership of organisations, including the City Council, currently working to turn turning Granby into one of the most exciting places to live in the whole City."

In their nomination, The Academy of Urbanism said:- "After several years of negotiations and canny political footwork the street has not just been saved from large scale demolition, but is in the process of being refurbished by a range of organisations. When complete, the hope is that all of this comes together to make a street that is welcoming and attractive to all; full of greenery, creativity, and regular street markets. Showing what is possible when passionate residents are able to implement their aspirations for their street."

Organisations working in Granby 4 Streets with Liverpool City Council include Granby 4 Streets Community Land Trust, Steinbeck Studio, Terrace 21 Co-op, Plus Dane, Liverpool Mutual Homes plus several private individuals investing in their own homes having purchased them for £1 under the Council's Homes for a Pound pilot programme. More information at Granby 4 Streets CLT website.  Further information on the Urbanism Awards 2016 and other places nominated click here.