Date: Thursday 3rd October 2019
Time: 4:00pm Registration and Coffees / Presentation commences at 4:30pm and finishes at 6:00pm (approx.)
Location: UNW Boardroom (Ground Floor), Citygate, St James’ Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JE
Awareness surrounding mental health continues to grow, and the topic itself remains high on the national agenda. Regionally, statistics have shown that there is room for improving employee wellbeing within the North East. At present, 1 in 3 people have experienced poor mental health while in employment; this has led to it becoming the leading cause of sickness absence.
Employers that have a clear strategy in place and who proactively promote and support positive mental health will reap the rewards of a more motivated, resilient, and productive workforce. UNW is pleased to invite you to join us for an event during which guest speakers, Jamie Gamble, employment law partner at Ward Hadaway, and Bethany Ainsley, Wellbeing Specialist and Founder of OptiMe, will help you understand the role of your business in supporting and promoting good mental health.
There are a number of estimates of the overall cost that poor mental health can have on the UK economy. Recent figures show this to be in the region of £1,000-£1,500 of lost productivity per employee across the country. Jamie’s presentation will highlight the duty of care that employers have for their workforce, as well as provide insight into the causes of work-related stress and increased absenteeism and presenteeism.
He will further delve into the impact that poor psychological safety in the workplace can have on your business, as well as legal implications for employers; this includes constructive dismissal, personal injury, and disability discrimination.
Bethany will then discuss the tangible methods that can be used to implement wellbeing initiatives within your workplace, to instil a culture of positive wellbeing and support. This highlights the steps that employers should take to promote positive mental health across their workforce.
This event is for business leaders, senior managers, and HR professionals who want to understand how taking a positive and proactive approach to mental health in their organisation can significantly improve workforce culture and ultimately contribute to the success of their business.
If you would like to sign up for this event, or for further information, please contact Maxine Johnston via events@unw.co.uk or on 0191 243 6259.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Jamie Gamble
Employment Partner at Ward Hadaway
Jamie is a partner at Ward Hadaway and heads up the Newcastle Employment Law team which contains 20 specialist employment lawyers and is ranked in the top tier of both Chambers and Legal 500.
Jamie is a passionate advocate for improving Health & Wellbeing in the workplace and is a co-founder of the North East Health and Wellbeing Group which has been created to help employers understand the benefits of investing in Health & Wellbeing and to encourage all employers to share their experiences. Jamie is an experienced speaker at employment law seminars and in particular has spoken at many events on the topic of Health & Wellbeing, including speaking at the 2019 Health at Work event at the NEC.
Bethany Ainsley
Wellbeing Specialist and Founder of OptiMe
Bethany is a Wellbeing Specialist, Founder and Chair of three wellbeing companies including Nouveau Wellbeing, ActivCare Coaching, and OptiMe. She is well-recognised for her work, with her awards including the David Goldman Prize for Innovation and the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship.
Bethany founded her companies after identifying a lack of suitable provision to boost health and wellbeing, and has recognised its importance on personal and professional development throughout her entrepreneurial journey. Bethany and her team are passionate about supporting forward-thinking businesses through improving the wellbeing of their employees.