More than ½ of workers in North West don't tell their employers about hidden health issue

MORE than ½ of workers in the North West have a hidden health issue they've never disclosed to their employers, with younger employees the most likely to withhold information from their bosses, according to new research. A survey of 1,000 employees, carried out by the UK's most trusted business healthcare provider, Benenden Health, revealed nearly 52% of respondents in the North West have a health issue they have never revealed to their employer. Nationwide, some 63% of Generation Z (16 to 23 years) and 60% of Millennials (24 to 38 years) surveyed said they haven't told their employers about a health issue, compared to 35% of Generation X (39 to 54 years) and 18% of Baby Boomer (55 to 72 years) respondents.

The survey also revealed 12% of workers in the North West thought they wouldn't be hired if they'd told their employers they had a health issue, with younger workers again more concerned about the impact on their employability, with 12% of Generation Z employees and 18% of Millennials nationally saying this was a concern, compared to just 9% of Generation Xers and 3% of Baby Boomers. Additionally, 25% of respondents in the Region said they had had to lie to their employer about taking time off for an appointment and 35% of employees don't even feel comfortable talking to their employers about their personal health.

Benenden Health, which also surveyed 1,000 SME's on their health and wellbeing offering for employees, is calling on business owners to open communication channels with their staff and consider the health needs of their workforce to support a healthy team, increase retention and reduce unexpected absences.

With the provider's research showing SME's would sooner recruit a 55 year old than a 24 year old, with the same CV, younger workers are already at risk of being overlooked for roles, without having to worry about their health impacting on their employability.

The data also highlighted the importance of benefit packages in attracting new recruits to a business. When questioned, 42% of all respondents in the North West said a strong health and wellbeing programme would increase their likelihood to join or stay with a business, with 25% saying they would be willing to take a less well paid job if it had a strong health and wellbeing package in place.

Yet, despite this, 78% of SME's in the Region don't offer a healthcare package for employees above statutory allowances, with 59% of these saying they don't consider a health and wellbeing package valuable in recruiting staff.

Helen Smith, Chief Commercial Officer of Benenden Health, commented:- "Our results are fairly shocking in that so many people still feel they can't speak to their employers about health issues that may affect their working life, and at times have had to lie about taking time off for an appointment; with young people the most likely to worry about the impact on their employability. At the same time, so many businesses are still not offering a strong wellbeing package to support their team, despite the value placed on them by employees. Hidden health issues can impact absence rates, productivity and the general wellbeing of staff and so it is vital that workplaces act now to protect their business interests, as well as their workforce's, especially if they want to attract young talent into their company. Benenden Health is calling for businesses to have a clear reporting process for employees to seek support from the senior team, which if supported by a tailored wellbeing programme that recognises the different needs of a multigenerational workforce, can help increase productivity and promote a happier and healthier workforce."

Benenden Health is a not for profit society with a UK wide membership of over 815,000, founded in 1905 to bring people together to help pay for medical care when they might need it. Today, it has a mission to support businesses by providing affordable healthcare that helps keep employees healthy and valued and businesses thriving.

To download Benenden Health's guide to managing the needs of a multigenerational workforce, go to:- Benenden.Co.UK.

Nurses invited to attend Health Visitor Open Evening

HEALTH visitors are invited to attend an open evening at St Chads Centre, in Kirkby, on 4 March 2020, to find out more about a career within North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's health visiting services in Knowsley. The informal drop in event is a chance for health visitors to chat to senior managers within the Trust's children's community nursing services about working for the Trust, including:- staff perks and benefits, and the organisational culture and values. North West Boroughs Healthcare provides a range of children's community based nursing services to families across Knowsley. This includes health visiting services, School nursing, breastfeeding support, family Nurse partnership services and immunisations.

Donna Wilson, Operational Manager for Children's Community Nursing Services in Knowsley said:- "I would strongly encourage anyone who is keen to find out more about health visiting opportunities within our Trust to come along for a coffee and a chat about what it's like to work with 1 of our fantastic health visiting teams. As an organisation, we offer a range of benefits including flexible working and a dedicated occupation health and wellbeing service for staff with free access to physiotherapy and counselling services."

Tea and coffee will be provided. There is no need to book onto the event and those attending can drop by any time between 4pm and 7pm. If you would like the opportunity to be interviewed on the evening, please complete the online application form. To view latest vacancies and apply for a role within North West Boroughs Healthcare's health visiting teams, visit:- Jobs.NWBH.NHS.UK and select:- 'nursing vacancies.'

Tenancy Deposit Scheme calls for clarity over zero deposits

A leading industry expert has called for transparency over deposit replacement products and is urging for any miss selling to be stamped out. It comes after concerns were raised over 'deposit-free' renting being missold to tenants unaware of the costs involved. The scheme gives renters the option of paying a smaller, generally non refundable fee instead of a traditional deposit; but there have been complaints that people have been misled.

Steve Harriott is the group chief executive of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), a not for profit, Government approved tenancy deposit protection scheme. He said:- "We recognise that tenants should always be offered a choice between a normal cash deposit and a deposit replacement product. The law is clear: no tenant should be 'forced' to take a deposit replacement product for a fee. We're also clear that tenants must not be missold these products. Tenants need to know that they remain 100% liable for rent arrears or any damage they cause with these types of new products. The policies they buy do not take away these liabilities. We also consider that tenants should be able to challenge for free any proposed charges to them: as they can with the statutory cash deposit schemes. Some of these schemes charge a fee to raise a dispute: we think this is unacceptable. We also want to ensure that all of these providers should be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ensure that any 'dodgy dealing' is stamped out. TDS does work with Zero Deposit: an FCA regulated provider with a strong executive and board stance against misselling and where there is no charge to tenants to raise a dispute against a charge."

TDS is the only not for profit tenancy deposit scheme in the UK, which means it continuously invests surpluses into raising industry standards with excellent service levels, quicker call response times, user friendly technology and faster tenancy dispute resolutions.

Liverpool is the culinary capital of the North West

THE nationwide study commissioned by Residence Inn by Marriott; the global leader in the longer stays lodging segment; found the explosion of foodie culture is such that 47% of adults from Liverpool say their culinary skills are on par with a Professional Chef. 22% of adults from Liverpool shun recipes and cook instead by 'instinct,' with 11% claiming they express themselves through experimentation in the kitchen. Over 1 in 7 adults from Liverpool say they always modify recipes to give them their own personal twist, 66% class themselves as excellent or good cooks, and a massive 79% said they demand complete control of their kitchen.

The study also found that a busy 29% of adults from Liverpool said they use cooking as a way to unwind and relax at the end of a hard day's work, with 42% finding it an immensely enjoyable activity and 18% saying it is soothing. When it comes to business travel, 35% of adults from Liverpool confess to missing home cooked food when having to work away.

Conveniently designed for the modern traveller, every Residence Inn by Marriott suite comes with a fully equipped kitchen, giving guests the chance to cook their favourite foods wherever they might be. Guests can also leave their grocery list at reception and return to a fully stocked fridge, enjoying a home away from home experience, but without the shopping hassle.

The survey revealed that people's desire to cook when travelling abroad manifests in several ways, with 30% wanting to cook local dishes, 18% travelling somewhere to try a specific dish and 13% preferring to cook themselves than eat out. 6% also believe they can cook Regional dishes better than the restaurants in the area can. In fact, 47% claim they much rather eat meals; whether travelling or at home; they've rustled up than dine out in a fancy restaurant. As many as 60% said they are far better cooks than their parents were at their age; and 23% wish they had more time to cook.

1 in 4 adults from Liverpool say they believe that food is what makes life so joyous, so it's no surprise that 15% of us admit that we constantly find ourselves dreaming of what we are going to make for our next meal.

Leading Life Coach and expert working with people to make positive changes in their lives, Carole Ann Rice said:- "Being able to cook your own meals ensures a healthy habit is honoured, by providing a moment to switch off after a busy day. By going through slow motions such as chopping, blending and stirring, the brain is eased into an alpha state; a place of relaxation and a place where creative thoughts can be ignited. The alpha state is 1 we easily reach through meditation, but slow repetitive actions such as cooking also help the brain access this place. Oxytocin is also the cuddle hormone we release when we enjoy the comfort of home cooked food."

The study uncovered the signs adults from Liverpool are modern foodies, baking your bread (16%), making your own pasta (11%) you have different methods to poach eggs (11%) and you know which herbs go with which foods (39%).

"Our guests want to cook and eat their own food, even when they are away from home. Our properties are suited for guests who are looking to live better when staying at a hotel for an extended period, and our guests enjoy cooking healthy meals using the kitchens in the comfort of their spacious suites. With the Residence Inn grocery delivery service, guests can also enjoy the convenience of having their list of ingredients delivered direct to their room." said John Licence, Vice President Premium and Select Brands at Marriott International, Europe.

Overall, the study found that Plymouth is the culinary capital of the UK, with 27% of residents of the South West City claiming to be excellent cooks. Norwich came in second with 21% and Belfast - 21%.

Residence Inn by Marriott has 5 properties in the UK in key Cities including:- London, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Within Europe, the brand has 12 properties in key markets, with a quickly expanding portfolio; a pipeline of over 15 openings over the next 2 years; responding to the growing demand for an extended stay offering.

Top 10 Signs You're An Accomplished Home Cook...

1. You know which herbs go with which foods (39%)

2. You bake your own bread (16%)

3. You have different methods to poach eggs (11%)

4. You make your own pasta (11%)

5. You make your own stock (20%)

6. You can guess ingredients by tasting a dish (22%)

7. You've burned yourself a number of times (10%)

8. You know what the terms:- 'deglaze' and 'clarify' mean (16%)

9. You can chop ingredients really quickly (15%)

10. You can gut a trout in under 5 minutes (5%)

For more information please visit:- Marriott.Com.