In this thought-provoking episode, host
Steve Randall is joined by
Professor Kim Burton, freelance occupational health researcher and former Professor of Occupational Health Care at the University of Huddersfield, and
Janet O’Neill, Occupational Health Nurse Specialist and Deputy Head of the National School of Occupational Health.
Nearly two decades after Burton co-authored the influential 2006 report
“Is Work Good for Your Health and Well-being?”, the panel explores what has—
and hasn’t—changed in the relationship between work, health, and employer practice.
Together, they unpack:
- Why the application of evidence in occupational health has lagged behind the research
- The difference between the “what” and the “how” of workplace health interventions
- Why line managers (not OH) should often be the first point of health-related conversations
- The persistent cultural and knowledge-transfer gaps that block progress
- The role of training, including the Society of Occupational Medicine’s new Work & Health Conversation programmes
- How organizations can move beyond tick-box exercises to real behavioural change
- The importance of good work, organisational culture, and internal capacity before bringing in external services
- Practical ways employers can measure success—from retention data to wellbeing metrics and qualitative feedback
This episode is full of insight for OH professionals, HR leaders, line managers, and anyone responsible for workforce health and wellbeing.
Key Takeaways:🔹 Evidence isn’t the problem—implementation is Kim argues that we’ve lost sight of
what OH should deliver, focusing instead on processes rather than content.
🔹 The “work and health conversation” is still missing Despite strong evidence, consistent messaging across OH, HR, line managers, and healthcare is still lacking.
🔹 Line managers should be empowered Janet highlights that early conversations about health at work should start with line managers—
not only with OH.
🔹 Training is essential for cultural change SOM’s upcoming training programmes aim to equip non-health professionals to have effective work-and-health conversations.
🔹 Behaviour change requires more than awareness Consistency, employer commitment, and clear frameworks are needed to avoid tick-box approaches.
🔹 Measure what matters Retention, sickness absence, presenteeism, stress risk assessments, employee surveys, and qualitative feedback are all part of tracking real progress.
The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - specialist occupational health software used by a number of SOM members to run every aspect of their occupational health operations. They hold healthcare records for over 1 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.