At the time of writing this e-bulletin, Nicola Sturgeon had just announced the introduction of a four-day working week pilot in her SNP manifesto. However, the party added that this would only happen if Scotland were granted full control over employment rights from Westminster.Under the new rules, the government would support a greater work-life balance by enabling individuals to work 32 hours across four days with no reduction in pay. In theory, this should lead to more jobs opening up and higher levels of motivation and engagement.However, critics ask who will finance the changes and predict a drop in earnings for the working class, which could ultimately lead to recession.All eyes are currently on Spain, who announced that trialling the concept of the four-day week will hopefully show that working longer hours doesn’t necessarily boost productivity. The change comes at a cost for the underperforming country, but the government hopes that investing €50 million into the kick-starter project will lead to positive results.When Microsoft in Japan introduced the four-day week, productivity reportedly shot up by 40% and a number of UK businesses have already adopted the same approach.Employers may also decide to opt for a six hour-day change trialled by Sweden a while ago. The new way of working did result in higher levels of work satisfaction, less fatigue and lower stress levels amongst the workforce.However, the experiment was abandoned when costs spiralled out of control and had a detrimental impact on organisations.Will we move towards working less hours but being more efficient?The situation is complex. Arguably, many jobs are intrinsically linked to working times, such as customer service roles. Covering less hours in call centres could lead to drops in customer service levels because most employers would not be able to simply employ more people to cover the missing hours.Building sites are unlikely to shut down for an additional day, when project schedules are already tight, and changes would directly impact any competitive advantage.Critics call the idea a four-day week with one day of weekend working, and they may not be wrong.It remains to be seen if the proposal catches on. For now, the UK government has announced that there are no plans to consider the changes in England.Source: Manuela Grossmann

Under the new rules, the government would support a greater work-life balance

Are we moving towards the four-day working week?

The <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="link" href="https://www.ssg.co.uk/courses/nebosh-national-general-certificate-in-occupational-health-and-safety">NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety</a> is a globally recognised qualification designed to provide individuals with essential knowledge and skills to manage health and safety in the workplace.The NEBOSH General Certificate offers significant benefits for both individuals and organisations, from career advancement and legal compliance to creating safer and more efficient workplaces.Below are some of the key benefits of obtaining the NEBOSH General Certificate:1. Enhanced career opportunitiesGlobal recognition: The NEBOSH General Certificate is recognised internationally, making it a valuable qualification for those seeking a career in health and safety across various industries.Increased employability: Employers often prefer candidates with a NEBOSH certification, as it demonstrates a strong understanding of health and safety principles, making you more attractive in the job market.Career advancement: Having the NEBOSH General Certificate can open opportunities for promotions and higher-level roles in health and safety management.2. Improved workplace safetyRisk management: The course provides a solid foundation in identifying workplace hazards and managing risks, leading to a safer working environment.Legal compliance: It ensures that you understand health and safety laws and regulations, helping organisations comply with legal requirements and avoid costly fines.Reduced accidents: By applying the knowledge gained, you can contribute to reducing accidents, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace, enhancing the overall safety culture.3. Knowledge and skill developmentComprehensive understanding: The course covers a wide range of topics including risk assessment, hazard identification, control measures, and emergency procedures.Practical skills: It equips you with practical skills to handle real-world health and safety challenges, from conducting safety audits to developing safety policies.4. Cost saving for employersReduced insurance premiums: Companies with trained safety professionals often see reductions in insurance premiums due to fewer accidents and claims.Minimised absenteeism: A safer workplace leads to fewer injuries, resulting in less absenteeism and greater productivity.Improved efficiency: By identifying and mitigating risks, businesses can reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.5. Enhanced reputation and trustStakeholder confidence: Companies that invest in health and safety training, including the NEBOSH General Certificate, build trust with clients, partners, and regulators.CSR and ethical practices: Organisations that prioritize safety demonstrate a commitment to corporate social responsibility, which can improve their reputation and public image.6. Foundation for further qualificationsStepping stone to advanced certifications: The NEBOSH General Certificate is often a prerequisite for more advanced health and safety qualifications, such as the NEBOSH Diploma, which can further enhance career prospects.7. Personal satisfactionConfidence in knowledge: Obtaining a NEBOSH General Certificate boosts personal confidence in your ability to address health and safety issues effectively.Professional recognition: Completing the qualification allows you to join the growing community of safety professionals, gaining professional recognition and respect within your industry.8. Flexibility of learningVarious learning formats: NEBOSH offers multiple learning options including classroom-based, online, or blended learning, making it flexible for different types of learners.Tailored for different industries: Although it’s a general qualification, the skills learned are transferable across various sectors such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.SSG provide the <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="link" href="https://www.ssg.co.uk/courses/nebosh-national-general-certificate-in-occupational-health-and-safety">NEBOSH General Certificate</a> in the traditional classroom setting as well as enabling people to attend virtually, offering a flexible, accessible, and efficient alternative for learning whilst retaining the important interaction benefits for all attendees. Whether you're looking to enhance workplace safety, improve your leadership skills, or ensure legal compliance, our delivery options provide a practical and impactful solution for all without losing that all important factor of personal like engagement with both online and classroom attendees.

A globally recognised qualification designed to provide individuals with essential knowledge and skills to manage health and safety in the workplace. 

Transform your career in 2025 with SSG’s NEBOSH General Certificate

The <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="link" href="https://www.ssg.co.uk/courses/iosh-managing-safely">IOSH Managing Safely®</a> course is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), a globally recognised authority in health and safety. Having this qualification enhances credibility and shows a commitment to maintaining high safety standards.In today's rapidly evolving work environment, health and safety have become central concerns for businesses across all industries. Ensuring that managers and supervisors are equipped with the knowledge to effectively manage workplace risks is critical for reducing accidents, maintaining productivity, and ensuring legal compliance.This course is highly beneficial for individuals and organisations for several reasons:1. Enhanced workplace safetyThe course provides essential knowledge on identifying hazards and risks in the workplace, helping managers prevent accidents and ensure a safer environment for employees.2. Improved legal complianceBy completing IOSH Managing Safely, managers are better equipped to comply with health and safety laws, minimising the risk of legal issues or penalties related to workplace accidents.3. Risk management skillsIt helps managers learn how to assess and control risks effectively. This reduces the likelihood of incidents, leading to fewer injuries, lower insurance premiums, and reduced downtime.4. Increased awareness and responsibilityThe course empowers managers to take responsibility for the health and safety of their teams, fostering a culture of safety within the organisation and ensuring that safety is embedded in everyday operations.5. Boosted organisational reputationOrganisations that invest in training like IOSH Managing Safely are seen as more responsible, improving their reputation with clients, partners, and stakeholders. This can lead to better business opportunities.6. Cost reductionBy reducing accidents and improving safety, organisations can lower costs associated with workplace injuries, absenteeism, compensation claims, and regulatory fines.7. Improved employee moraleA safer workplace means less anxiety for employees regarding their wellbeing, which can improve morale, increase productivity, and reduce staff turnover.At SSG, we offer the IOSH Managing Safely® course both in the classroom and online, offering a flexible, accessible, and efficient alternative for learning yet retaining the important interaction benefits for all attendees. For more information on our delivery styles, click <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="link" href="https://www.ssg.co.uk/about/booking-types">here</a> or speak to a member of our team on 01752 201616.Attending this 3-day course is an invaluable resource for organisations and individuals aiming to prioritise workplace safety. By investing in IOSH training, businesses can enhance their reputation, improve employee morale and ensure long-term sustainability. Whether attending in the classroom or online, SSG courses offer a flexible and engaging learning experience to equip delegates with the skills needed to create safer, more productive work environments.

In today's rapidly evolving work environment, health and safety have become central concerns for businesses across all industries. 

Improving workplace safety: the benefits of IOSH Managing Safely®

The government is encouraging employers to do social prescribing as a way of enabling their long-term sick employees back to work.&nbsp;The term social prescribing relates to involvement with other people in your community. It can involve coffee with a neighbour, volunteering and group hobbies or activities. Crucially it makes you feel good!The concept is being used for return to work support because it can help reduce social isolation as well as making a long-term sick employee feel good. Social isolation and loneliness can increase during periods of long-term sickness. Because social prescribing builds social contact it helps reduce the sense of isolation. Medical evidence also shows that loneliness and social isolation can have negative health impacts. So social prescribing helps to reduce both the sense of isolation and the wider health impacts on long-term sick employees.The awareness and use of social prescribing is growing. GPs have been social prescribing since 2020 and the government’s forthcoming WorkWell scheme (being launched in England) aims to help around 59,000 people with disabilities and health conditions to access social prescribers such as community groups, running clubs and life coaches.How can employers utilise social prescribing?<ul><li>Understand the needs and traits of your employees. Someone with a more extrovert personality might prefer a type of prescribing which would trigger a stress reaction in your more introverted employees. Similarly, an employee with no history of exercise may not appreciate or get value from being signposted to a running group.</li><li>Create a bank of social prescribing options that you can sign post to employees.</li><li>The most popular social prescribing option amongst employees themselves is volunteering. Consider how you can enable employees to access volunteering though time allocation and providing resources. Build relationships with local organisations that are seeking volunteer support.&nbsp;</li><li>Consider employee representative groups and internal networks to bring cross sections of employees together to interact. These can meet in person or virtually so your home worker / hybrid workers are not excluded.&nbsp;</li><li>In-house clubs and societies, especially ones that extend to external activities, are important options. For example, here at SSG we have a walking group who meet monthly either after work or at weekends.</li><li>Consider ways to fully enable social prescribing to succeed. For example, consider granting employees the flexibility within their day to connect with their local community whether that be singing in a choir, crafts or fitness.</li></ul>

The government is encouraging employers to do social prescribing as a way of enabling their long-term sick employees back to work.  