Finance firms in the UK have been urged to address the levels of sickness absence in their workplace, which studies have shown can be reduced by implementing more flexible operating practices.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is convinced that practices such as enabling employees to work from home can reduce stress and sickness absence, which the latest research by HSA Healthcare shows is costing British finance firms "huge sums of money each year".
One of the major benefits to businesses affording their staff a greater degree of flexibility is that employees can establish a better work-life balance and the new study highlights the important role this can play in enhancing business productivity.
"Those finance companies that do not have a strategy in place to reduce sickness are missing a trick," said Amanda Wilkinson, editor of employee benefits at HSA Healthcare.
Lisa Fowlie, president of the IOSH, makes clear: "Enabling employees to achieve a proper work-life balance will help to reduce ill health absence."
The IOSH operates as a not-for-profit health and safety organisation across the country and the group recently announced its backing of Work Wise UK, an ongoing initiative aimed at increasing workforce flexibility.
