AUDIO NEWS: Health plan claims up by 6% among tradespeople and heating firm runs 4-day week pilot

Construction firms urged to take better care of staff after health plan claims leap by 6%, Custom Heat successfully trails four-day week, and tool thieves hit charity

Building firms are being urged to take better care of their employees after a 6% increase in health cash plan claims in the last year.

The data, from Westfield Health also indicated that over 60% of manual workers struggled to get health appointments and that a third had no wellbeing support at work.

Physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture accounted for three out of ten claims. 

According to the Health and Safety Executive, over half of all work-related sick days in construction are caused by musculoskeletal conditions.

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A heating and plumbing business has successfully trialled a four-day week.

During the pilot, Custom Heat witnessed quarterly sales improve by 1.65%, despite staff working 20% fewer hours.

It also saw a 67% drop in staff turnover, and 57% fewer sick days.

Despite the positive results, Terri-Anne Smith, accounts and communications director with the firm cautioned that “if a company is operating in survival mode, which many businesses are because of the harsh economic climate, a four-day week would not be sufficient.”

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The team from Okehampton Men in Sheds has thanked its local community after £500 worth of tools were stolen last week.

Men in Sheds is a community action group that repairs and recycles items for local charities and groups.

A fund-raising effort has started to replace the tools.

To contribute click here.

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