Occupational Health

The 5th National Absenteeism Report produced by the Small Firms Association (SFA) shows that Irish employees were absent from work for an average of 11 days per annum – equating to a cost to employers of €550m per annum. According to the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), of the 12.5 million days lost through absenteeism in 2004, 75% were lost through medical illness. SMEs are disproportionately impacted by absence, as they have smaller teams and have a lower ability to provide cover for absent employees.

Employers are also more aware of the need to keep their employees satisfied and the overall employment packages on offer are increasingly competitive, with multinational companies influencing expectations. There is also growing awareness of the need to reduce absenteeism in the workplace and to increase productivity.

These factors are the drivers for an Occupational Health service in Ireland, targeted at reducing days lost through illness – either through prevention or by reducing the period of illness. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), an Occupational Health service should:

• monitor the health of employees
• help identify health problems and fitness for work issues at an early stage
• formulate rehabilitation programmes / return to work strategies
• work closely with line managers and HR professionals
• promote employee well-being and healthy living.

Hibernian Healthcare offers services that enable employers to fulfil their duty of care to their employees, and we also suggest additional services which will increase the value delivered to customers.

We use technology and broad-reach approaches to raising awareness of the Occupational Health services as well as providing information aimed at increasing overall employee well-being.

Our clear focus is the duty of care, ensuring that employers provide the essential services to employees.

CONTACT US for more information on our Occupational Health services.