Health and safety

What are employers' duties in cold weather?

As temperatures plummet below zero and the Met Office predicts snow, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says HR teams should review their cold weather policies.

Poor workplace training leading to fatalities

There is a clear correlation between workplace fatalities and training provisions, according to new research from software company Cloud Assess.

Bed bugs in the office: should HR be worried?

As fears heighten that Paris’ bedbug problem is spreading to London, employers can take precautions to make sure offices do not become a breeding ground for the critters.

UK loses 17 million working days to stress, depression and anxiety

The UK lost 17 million working days to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in the year 2021 to 2022 according to the latest data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Government commits £6 million to disability support platform

The government has laid out plans to launch a £6.4 million online service designed to help employers better support disabled people and those with health conditions at work.

Loss of experience in workplace raises safety concerns

A loss of older and experienced workers is leading employees to feel less safe at work, according to a new report from Draeger Safety UK.

Travel safety should fall under HR umbrella

Employees across the UK feel their employers should take more responsibility for their safety when they're travelling for work.

HSE warns employers to prepare for warmer future

Employers must act now to ensure workplaces are ready for warmer weather in the future, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced.

Could we really see new laws on temperature in the workplace?

Earlier this week, the GMB workers' union called for a legal limit on how hot it can be in a workplace, as the Met Office issued its red weather warning for extreme heat. 

Rising covid infections force HR to prepare

The UK is averaging 351,000 daily infections of covid, the highest number recorded since the 350,000 daily infections in March 2022.

Can you ask staff to keep working in a heatwave?

This week temperatures across the UK have soared into the thirties, creating concerns for employee health and safety and productivity. However, there is no maximum temperature for UK workplaces under...

Menopause at work: what's the employer's responsibility?

Menopause is often seen as a taboo topic of conversation. This is not surprising given the personal nature of the symptoms and impact on the individual's personal life.