There are many, often contrasting, definitions of the terms below currently in common use. The definitions we use are:

Presenteeism
When an individual's work productivity is reduced due to either:
  • having a health and wellbeing issue which affects their capacity to perform in their role
    or
  • remaining at work for long hours, for fear of negative consequences
Health
An objective assessment of a person's physical and mental state
Wellbeing
A subjective sense of a person's physical and mental state

Health and Wellbeing Strategies

To be truly effective, a Health and Wellbeing strategy needs to integrate a wide range of services which fall into three main areas:

Health promotion
Facilitating sustainable behaviour change to improve peoples' capacity to perform in their work roles by addressing issues such as:
  • Stress
  • Unhealthy lifestyle
  • Poor work/life balance
Health management
Minimising the impact on the performance of individuals and teams who work whilst affected by health and wellbeing issues. These include:
  • Physical health issues
  • Mental health issues
  • Bereavement
  • Suicide
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
Absence management
Facilitating the speedy and sustainable return to work of individuals on sick, maternity, paternity or compassionate leave.