With the Government attempting to measure the happiness of UK citizens, Sypol looks towards 2011 and wonders whether we can hope to be a happier and healthier nation.
Often without realising it, we all bring influences from our personal life into the workplace. Things that cause us stress and unhappiness at home can lead us to be anxious and vulnerable to the pressures at work that can lead to work-related stress.
Of course, just being in work can do a huge amount to improve our sense of well being and that of our families. On the whole, work is good for your health and well-being providing financial and personal security, as well as a sense of purpose and achievement.
Will the Government’s measurement of happiness give an indication of the levels of well being in the workplace?
Work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 9.8m working days lost in 2009/10. On average, each person suffering from work-related stress took an estimated 22.6 days off so by encouraging us to be happier, the Government might help businesses to be more profitable.
As individuals we can all do a great deal to improve our own happiness ratings, through regular exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep and avoiding the overuse of alcohol. Reducing the risks that can lead to work related stress is a legal requirement but all too often, individuals and organisations don’t acknowledge the affects of either personal or workplace stress. It is important to realise that ignoring it won’t make it go away and will adversely affect both the health and the bottom line of the business.
Dealing with work related stress needs an organisation-wide approach starting in the boardroom. Our experience shows that by identifying stressors that can lead to workplace stress – such as excessive workloads, availability of support, evidence of harassment or bullying – then controlling the associated risk by providing sensible tools, line managers and staff will be bolstered in their ability to cope with stress, whether personal or work related.
So it’s all about a collaborative approach. As individuals we should each set ourselves a personal New Year’s resolution to do more to raise our happiness ratings – join a new sports club, find time to relax at home and look for healthy options at the supermarket.
As employers we should start the New Year by taking a fresh look at our workplace, encourage active discussion with our teams to identify any pressure points and work in partnership with our employees to put in place the practical solutions that will encourage a happy and productive working environment. This is something that we, as health and safety consultants, actively pursue for our staff and our clients
Monday, 6 December 2010
Friday, 15 October 2010
Response from Sypol on Lord Young's report
Martin Smith of the Alcumus Group comments on Lord Young's report - Common Sense, Common Safety.
"We welcome the recommendations contained in Lord Young’s report on health and safety – Common Sense, Common Safety – published today. Over the last 30 years, Sypol has been working with businesses of all sizes across the UK to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers in every industry.
With a team of fully qualified and experienced health and safety consultants offering expert consultancy on all health and safety matters, we fully support the creation of the Occupational Safety Consultants Register. Business owners and managers will now be able to choose a partner to help them deliver excellent health and safety management secure in the knowledge that they are experts in this field.
The Report also recommends simplifying risk assessment procedures for low hazard workplaces. However, Sypol cautions the Government to make sure that the clarification of low hazard is made clear in order to eliminate the danger of some small business owners classifying themselves as low risk when hazards remain in the workplace.
"We welcome the recommendations contained in Lord Young’s report on health and safety – Common Sense, Common Safety – published today. Over the last 30 years, Sypol has been working with businesses of all sizes across the UK to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers in every industry.
With a team of fully qualified and experienced health and safety consultants offering expert consultancy on all health and safety matters, we fully support the creation of the Occupational Safety Consultants Register. Business owners and managers will now be able to choose a partner to help them deliver excellent health and safety management secure in the knowledge that they are experts in this field.
The Report also recommends simplifying risk assessment procedures for low hazard workplaces. However, Sypol cautions the Government to make sure that the clarification of low hazard is made clear in order to eliminate the danger of some small business owners classifying themselves as low risk when hazards remain in the workplace.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
ISOQAR joins Sypol and Infomatrix in newly formed Alcumus Group
Sypol is pleased to announce the acquisition of ISOQAR Holdings Limited by the Alcumus Group.
ISOQAR is one of the UK's largest independent providers of UKAS accredited certification services. Sypol, Infomatrix and ISOQAR will now form the Alcumus Group, a multi-disciplinary provider of risk management, compliance and certification services.
Read more
ISOQAR is one of the UK's largest independent providers of UKAS accredited certification services. Sypol, Infomatrix and ISOQAR will now form the Alcumus Group, a multi-disciplinary provider of risk management, compliance and certification services.
Read more
Monday, 4 October 2010
The final days of the 'Elf'
Sypol responds to Lord Young's comments on his report to the Coalition Government reviewing health and safety.
Lord Young's report is likely to go some way to getting rid of the 'Elf' in health and safety. We can all make a positive contribution to the serious issue of saving lives of people at work. However, somewhere along the way it's been used as an excuse to increase red tape, encourage costly litigation and a mindset that says "Can't do".
Any positive steps to reduce the burden on businesses and bring to an end the climate of fear that suppresses initiative is most welcome, but with a caveat. Around 180(i) people are killed each year at work, and 246,000(ii) are injured. Each one leaves a trail of tragedy in its wake and we must not erode away the excellent work being done in businesses of every size across the country to help prevent accidents and ill health.
Sensible, robust health and safety legislation should be a benefit to all of us and not a burden. We encourage the Government to get rid of the 'Elf' but remember the importance of sensible safety management.
(i) HSE Statistics 2008/09
(ii) HSE Statistics 2008/09
Lord Young's report is likely to go some way to getting rid of the 'Elf' in health and safety. We can all make a positive contribution to the serious issue of saving lives of people at work. However, somewhere along the way it's been used as an excuse to increase red tape, encourage costly litigation and a mindset that says "Can't do".
Any positive steps to reduce the burden on businesses and bring to an end the climate of fear that suppresses initiative is most welcome, but with a caveat. Around 180(i) people are killed each year at work, and 246,000(ii) are injured. Each one leaves a trail of tragedy in its wake and we must not erode away the excellent work being done in businesses of every size across the country to help prevent accidents and ill health.
Sensible, robust health and safety legislation should be a benefit to all of us and not a burden. We encourage the Government to get rid of the 'Elf' but remember the importance of sensible safety management.
(i) HSE Statistics 2008/09
(ii) HSE Statistics 2008/09
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
New arrival
Congratulations to Ben Palmer, one of our Software Development Team consultants, who became a father last night when his wife Maddie gave birth to Noah, weighing in at 7lb 8oz. Both mother and baby are doing well
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Sypol acquires Enable Infomatrix
Sypol is pleased to announce the acquisition of Enable Infomatrix Limited ("Infomatrix"), a provider of web-based information management solutions to some of the UK's most prestigious companies and organisations.
Established in 2000, Stratford upon Avon based Infomatrix offers its clients a range of cost effective, web-based information management software solutions encompassing health and safety, compliance, audit and inspection, property and project management and performance tracking, in addition to bespoke solutions.
The company's proprietary software product, 'Info Tracker', allows customers a flexible approach to record, track and report key business data on a multi-user, multi-location basis via a secure, fully hosted and managed service. 'Info Tracker' also provides seamless integration with 'Digital Pen and Paper' technology providing end-to-end data management solutions.
Infomatrix founders Alan Neill and Colin James will remain with the business and extend Sypol's overall IT and software expertise across the combined customer base. They bring with them a highly committed and experienced team with strong technical skills and customer relationships.
Colin James, Director at Infomatrix said: "Joining the Sypol group of companies is a significant step forward for all concerned, offering existing and new customers a broader range of governance, risk and compliance services. This was an easy decision for us as it quickly became obvious that we shared common values based around our people and exceptional standards of customer care."
John Pettifor, Chairman at Sypol added: "We are delighted to welcome the Infomatrix team to Sypol and know that the business will thrive by maximising the scale of the combined Group. Alan and Colin bring new and complementary skills to Sypol and we look forward to developing the service offering to the overall customer base."
Established in 2000, Stratford upon Avon based Infomatrix offers its clients a range of cost effective, web-based information management software solutions encompassing health and safety, compliance, audit and inspection, property and project management and performance tracking, in addition to bespoke solutions.
The company's proprietary software product, 'Info Tracker', allows customers a flexible approach to record, track and report key business data on a multi-user, multi-location basis via a secure, fully hosted and managed service. 'Info Tracker' also provides seamless integration with 'Digital Pen and Paper' technology providing end-to-end data management solutions.
Infomatrix founders Alan Neill and Colin James will remain with the business and extend Sypol's overall IT and software expertise across the combined customer base. They bring with them a highly committed and experienced team with strong technical skills and customer relationships.
Colin James, Director at Infomatrix said: "Joining the Sypol group of companies is a significant step forward for all concerned, offering existing and new customers a broader range of governance, risk and compliance services. This was an easy decision for us as it quickly became obvious that we shared common values based around our people and exceptional standards of customer care."
John Pettifor, Chairman at Sypol added: "We are delighted to welcome the Infomatrix team to Sypol and know that the business will thrive by maximising the scale of the combined Group. Alan and Colin bring new and complementary skills to Sypol and we look forward to developing the service offering to the overall customer base."
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Best Practice Awards
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards last week. We were pleased to sponsor the Business Card Draw at the event.
Congratulations to Adrian Coles of the Building Society Association who won a Magnum of Champagne...
and Des O'Hare of The Association of Colleges Management Services who won a signed football picture.Take a look at our website to see how we can help the members of your trade association with their health and safety issues.
Friday, 2 July 2010
Worker deaths in Britain fall to record low
New figures released by HSE on 30th June show the number of people killed at work in Britain fell to a record low last year.
The provisional figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that worker deaths in Britain are at an all time low and this can only be described as great news!
There is more work to do in agriculture and clearly construction must strive to continue the downward trend. So whilst the news is very welcome given the plateau of recent years, we must be careful not to become complacent, particularly as we climb out of recession and perhaps try to create more output with fewer people.
Experience from recent economic cycles shows that there are often fewer fatalities during recessions. Sensible risk management is even more important – a message that Lord Young will hopefully be aware of – now is not the time to ease off the throttle – we need to be more vigilant, not less so.
Health of course remains a challenge with cases of traditional occupational disease such as COPD and silicosis still on the rise, and stress related ill-health and musculoskeletal disorder stubbornly refusing to fall.
Read more on our website
The provisional figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that worker deaths in Britain are at an all time low and this can only be described as great news!
There is more work to do in agriculture and clearly construction must strive to continue the downward trend. So whilst the news is very welcome given the plateau of recent years, we must be careful not to become complacent, particularly as we climb out of recession and perhaps try to create more output with fewer people.
Experience from recent economic cycles shows that there are often fewer fatalities during recessions. Sensible risk management is even more important – a message that Lord Young will hopefully be aware of – now is not the time to ease off the throttle – we need to be more vigilant, not less so.
Health of course remains a challenge with cases of traditional occupational disease such as COPD and silicosis still on the rise, and stress related ill-health and musculoskeletal disorder stubbornly refusing to fall.
Read more on our website
Friday, 25 June 2010
Vuvuzelas - why are they so irritating
As the weekend approaches and we enter the knockout phase of the World Cup, we decided to investigate why the vuvuzela noise is so irritating to so many people.
Take a look at our video, the results are interesting: http://www.youtube.com/user/sypoluk
Take a look at our video, the results are interesting: http://www.youtube.com/user/sypoluk
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Anthony Livingstone, our Financial Director, took leave of his senses last year and signed up for a nine day cycle ride from John O'Groats to Lands End. He started on June 12th and finishes on June 21st. Anthony comments "We will average 114 miles a day with the longest days being days 3 and 4, at 130 and 129 miles respectively, as we try to put Scotland behind us."
"I've been training as hard as work and family life will allow but of course I have no idea what days 4 to 9 will feel like, as I've never done more than three consecutive days riding. And I've never done more than 115 miles on any one day.......so it will be interesting!"
"A strong incentive not to give up will be knowing that lots of friends and family have sponsored me to reach the end, so if you'd like to give me a psychological push up one or two hills, please click through the link below to my just giving page. Every penny of your donation will go to Thomley Activity Centre, a recreational facility for disabled children and their families. My costs of doing the event are already covered."
http://www.justgiving.com/Anthony-Livingstone-RideAcrossBritain
If you would like to know more about the event then click through http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/. James Cracknell's events company are the organisers, and there are supposed to be over 600 riders doing it.
"I've been training as hard as work and family life will allow but of course I have no idea what days 4 to 9 will feel like, as I've never done more than three consecutive days riding. And I've never done more than 115 miles on any one day.......so it will be interesting!"
"A strong incentive not to give up will be knowing that lots of friends and family have sponsored me to reach the end, so if you'd like to give me a psychological push up one or two hills, please click through the link below to my just giving page. Every penny of your donation will go to Thomley Activity Centre, a recreational facility for disabled children and their families. My costs of doing the event are already covered."
http://www.justgiving.com/Anthony-Livingstone-RideAcrossBritain
If you would like to know more about the event then click through http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/. James Cracknell's events company are the organisers, and there are supposed to be over 600 riders doing it.
Anthony has decided that not being last would be nice, but his main objective is to meet his wife Jane at Lands End on Sunday 21st June.
Stay posted for how he gets on and for pictures.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Our expanding sales team
We are pleased to announce three new consultants to our sales team - David Gayton, David Adams and Divyesh Varia. All three join our team as Regional Sales Consultants covering territories in England and Wales. We are also looking for consultants for Scotland and the North East - see our website for more details
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Follow our blogs
We have blogs for our different business streams, so that you can follow our consultants as they go about their work. See the links on the right hand side for the one you want.
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