WFH linked to significant mental health gains, a study of 16K employees finds
Employees who work predominantly from home experience stronger mental health outcomes than those who commute to the office, according to new research published in Social Science & Medicine.
Mental health issues top West Berkshire Council sickness tally
Mental health issues remain the main reason why staff at West Berkshire Council go off sick.
Latest figures for the authority say there has been a decrease in long-term sickness.
But that long-term sickness absence is 53.9 per cent of all sickness absences (3,678.5 days lost).
Short-term absence is defined as a period of sickness absences less than 28 calendar days in one occasion.
The most common reason for long-term absence is mental health conditions and the most common reason for short term absence is minor illnesses – which includes coughs/colds and flu, sickness/nausea and diarrhoea.
In total, 29 per cent of all sickness absence, whether long- or short-term was down to mental health.
More on the figures on the Newbury Today website.
Health and Safety Executive inspecting chiropractors to assess radiation compliance
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is conducting an inspection campaign targeting chiropractors who use radiation generators.
The regulator’s inspections will assess dutyholders’ compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17), which protect employees and other persons from occupational radiation exposure.
To help dutyholders understand the requirements of an inspection, the HSE has created an online video outlining the expectations of the visit and the areas inspectors will be assessing compliance on, including:
- management of radiation protection
- radiation risk assessment
- engineering controls and maintenance
- contingency plans
- training records
- designation and monitoring of controlled areas
- local rules and radiation protection supervisors
- personal dosimetry
Learn more on the HSE website.
Hard hat businesses urged to prioritise mental health
Pirktek UK & Ireland is encouraging businesses in hard hat sectors to put mental health at the centre of their plans for 2026.
Research from Pirtek’s Under the Hard Hat campaign shows that 94% of workers in construction, engineering and related industries have experienced stress, anxiety or loneliness at work. One in seven have had suicidal thoughts, and mental health-related absence is more than three times the national average.
Despite these figures, more than 40% of workers say their employer offers no mental health support or they are unaware of any available resources. This silence is costing lives. Pirtek is calling on business leaders to act now and embed mental health into everyday operations, not just annual initiatives.
Visit the HSM website to read more.
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