A qualification for managers to help improve the health and wellbeing of their staff is being piloted by EEF, the manufacturers organisation.

The Management of Health and Wellbeing at Work qualification is designed to improve the efficiency and morale of employees and is accredited by the National Examining Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH).

The announcement follows research from EEF showing 36% of manufacturing organisations reported an increase in absence between 2007 and 2008 but 36% of employers offering training in health and wellbeing noticed a decrease compared with 28% that did not train managers.

Mike Prince, health, climate and environment leader at EEF, said: "The qualification equips managers to minimise absence, encourage people back to work where possible and deal effectively with the health issues of their staff."

The qualification is designed to benefit companies in all sectors.