Press Release
Date: Thursday 23 September 2004 (NR/24/04)
CCEA challenges absence statistics as staff shape-up for a healthier lifestyle
In recent times Northern Ireland public sector absence rates have been branded amongst the worst in the UK . The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, however, is one local organisation that has defied these statistics by reducing absence by 25% in the past 12 months. During that period the average number of days absent has dropped from 10.7 days to 7.7 days per employee.
Launching CCEA’s Health at Work Day, the organisation’s latest employee well-being initiative, Chief Executive , Gavin Boyd , said that absence levels within CCEA are now on a par with private sector organisations throughout the UK.*
“I am pleased to report such a healthy level of attendance in CCEA. While other public sector organisations are reporting problems with reducing absence levels, we are successfully helping our staff attend for work. It is our aim to work with staff to reduce absence levels even further.
Much of the decline in absence levels within CCEA can be explained by our proactive and open approach to the issues affecting the health and well-being of our staff. Today’s activities are an excellent example of this.
Health at Work day aims to promote health awareness amongst our staff and encourage people to reflect on their own individual well-being. Health specialists will be on hand to provide staff with an insight into traditional and alternative ways of living a healthier lifestyle. With everything from health checks and nutrition advice to aromatherapy, reflexology and Indian head massage, this is sure to be an interesting and enjoyable day for everyone involved.”
Health at Work Day is aligned to CCEA’s normal approach to health issues. Mr Boyd continues:
“CCEA does not rely on the traditional hard-handed approach to absence. Rather, we offer support to individuals who may be absent from work for one of many reasons. This support includes open and honest discussion with their manager, professional medical advice when necessary, confidential counselling services and a phased return to work by those who have been on long-term sick leave.
We promote a proactive approach in handling absence and encourage managers to talk and listen to their staff at the first opportunity. This has proved very successful over the past year and we are determined that with its continued use, and by raising health awareness through events such as Health at Work Day, staff will continue to benefit and CCEA’s absence levels will continue to decline.”
CCEA’s Health at Work Day will take place on Friday 24 September at the CCEA building in Clarendon Dock, Belfast from 10am to 4pm .
CCEA Absence Rates
* CIPD Employment Absence 2004 - A survey of management policy and practice, July 2004.
Absence rates (average days lost per employee per year):
| CCEA | 7.7 |
| NI Civil Service | 15.4 (Analysis of Sickness Absence in NI Departments 2002-3) |
| Public Sector ( UK ) | 10.7 (CIPD Employment Absence 2004) |
| Private Sector ( UK ) | 7.8 (CIPD Employment Absence 2004) |
CCEA Health at Work Day
Date: Friday 24 September
Venue: CCEA Building , 29 Clarendon Road , Belfast
Time: 10am - 4pm
The following organisations will be attending. Please feel free to use the quotes provided:
Cancer Research (NI):
Barbara Blundell, Cancer Research N.Ireland's Community Fundraising Manager says:
"Around 8700 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Northern Ireland and just over 3650 patients die from the disease. The creation of a Centre for Cancer Research at Queen's University, Belfast has been a major advance in Northern Ireland in recent years. Our researchers at this centre work closely with doctors at Belfast City Hospital , so that scientific and medical advances can be translated into benefits for patients as quickly as possible. This is an exciting time in cancer research all over the world and I am proud to say that Cancer Research N.Ireland is at the forefront of progress."
Carecall:
A spokesperson for Carecall commented:
“Carecall is delighted to be invited by CCEA to take part in their Health at Work Day. Carecall provides staff at CCEA with an Employee Assistance Programme, which includes a confidential counselling service. This Health at Work Day gives us the opportunity to remind staff of the service available to them. We will also be giving a seminar on ‘Managing Stress’ and our aromatherapist, Moira Harper, will be around all day to provide a variety of relaxing aromatherapy massage. We are thoroughly looking forward to this excellent initiative.”
Diabetes UK Northern Ireland :
A spokesperson for Diabetes UK (NI) commented:
“Diabetes UK Northern Ireland aims to raise the awareness of diabetes within the general population of Northern Ireland so reducing symptoms which produce long term complications.”
Food Standards Agency (NI):
A spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency commented:
“The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland has recently launched a high profile campaign aimed at encouraging people to reduce their salt intake. We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring this and other key messages to the CCEA event.”
Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association:
Chief Executive, Andrew Dougal, comments:
"As many as two out of five heart sufferers will not survive the first attack. That's why it is so important to use health checks. It gives comprehensive and easily understood information on blood profile, nutrition, blood pressure and advice on smoking cessation.”
Ulster Cancer Foundation:
Anne Devlin, Cancer Prevention Officer, Ulster Cancer Foundation said,
“The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is delighted to support the CCEA’s Health at Work Day. UCF offers a wide range of education and cancer prevention programmes and many of these are delivered through the education sector. UCF greatly values the support of all our partners in delivering this life-saving work. The Ulster Cancer Foundation is committed to tackling cancer in Northern Ireland by supporting cancer research, providing services for cancer patients and by education on how people can reduce their risk of the disease. For further information on all our services please log onto www.ulstercancer.org or contact us on 028 9049 2007.”
Unislim Clubs Ltd:
A spokesperson for Unislim Clubs Ltd commented:
“The Unislim philosophy is to help improve the quality of life for members. This is achieved through healthy eating and regular exercise. There are no gimmicks, no fast fixes, just a sound, healthy, practical and very successful method of weight loss and lifestyle improvement.
The latest scary statistics about the growing obesity levels in this country has resulted in many government initiatives and health departments to get us fit and trim. This is where Unislim can help. Their new Low GI diet is a recognised, healthy new way to slim, and the current campaign Step to Success encourages you to reach the 10,000-step challenge by making walking part of your every day life. Combined with a sensible healthy eating diet, getting in shape is easier than you think. The weekly class consists of a confidential weigh in with the class leader, a motivational talk and a food feature. Call 028 302 63703 or log on to www.unislim.com for more details.”
Workplace Stressbusters - Workplace Massage
The modern concept of workplace massage originated in 1984 when an entrepreneur, David Palmer began giving 15 minute, clothed, seated oil free massage to employees of Apple Computers. David had his clients sitting the wrong way around in an office chair with their heads resting on a pillow placed on the back rest.
The origins of workplace massage go back approximately 5,000 years to where it originated in Japan . It was used on weary workers to relieve aches and pains after a 12 hour day in the paddy fields. Workplace massage works on the same principals as acupuncture by stimulating energy flow along the Meridians. There are pressure points along these meridians called Tsubo where stagnant energy can collect, creating imbalances which lead to pain dis-ease and eventually to disease. By stimulating the Seated acupressure massage is a public and visual form of bodywork, it is imperative that you and your clothing look clean and profession. No rings or jewellery should be worn during work. If you wear a watch remove it before you start a session. Footwear should be non-slip flexible footwear. Remember you will be working on lots of different types of surface and may be working for several hours in succession so good support is essential. It is important to take care of your hands and nails and nails must be kept short and field smooth to prevent causing discomfort to your client.
Disability Action
Eastern Health and Social Services Board
NI Drug and Alcohol Campaign
Occupational Health Service
St John’s Ambulance
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
