Employer event to help keep region’s workers healthy

Employers across Lancashire are invited to take part in a ‘Work and Health Forum’ hosted by Lancaster University next month.

On 2 July 2025, the Centre for Organisational Health & Well-being and the Work Foundation at Lancaster University will bring together leaders from business, policy, and academia to tackle health-related challenges facing the workforce.

Work Foundation research released this week has shown that one in five UK workers say they are in poor health (20 per cent). One in 17 (six per cent) UK workers believe they may leave their job in the next 12 months due to their health. Employers are aware of the challenges, two thirds of senior business leaders (64 per cent) said poor employee health had a detrimental effect on their organisation’s economic performance

Together, it is hoped participants will discuss how leaders in the North West can prioritise creating healthy jobs to tackle worker shortages and support economic growth. The event – which is free to attend – will take place between 10am and 1pm on Wednesday 2 July at Lancaster University Management School.

Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation think tank at Lancaster University said: “The government’s ambitious plan to raise the employment rate to get approximately two million more people in work represents a big challenge – but one that could help unlock further growth in the economy and help improve living standards across the board.

 “To succeed, we need to tackle the very real issues that impact businesses of all shapes and sizes in the UK – workplace sickness and ill health. Since 2020, almost 700,000 have left work due to long-term illness – with the rate of attrition particularly high in parts of the North West.

 “We hope this event – which aims to bring together employers and those working in health and policy across the region – will highlight key issues facing employers and workers in the North West, and identify areas where employers can step in to help support the health of their staff, and with it, their firm’s stability and productivity.”

 During the event, participants will get to hear about the latest research into workplace health led by experts at Lancaster University; can take part in roundtable discussions over lunch and will get to hear from speakers including an expert in occupational health, and Directors of other prominent businesses in the region.

 Employers and health professionals interested in attending and joining the debate are asked to register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/work-and-health-forum-tackling-health-related-workforce-challenges-tickets-1358508458369?aff=oddtdtcreator