From firefighting to future-proofing: Why strategic OH is your hidden HR superpower
Every organisation ultimately wants the same thing for its people – to keep them safe, supported and thriving at work. For HR and Occupational Health (OH), that’s a shared mission.
While HR focuses on shaping culture, supporting people strategies and managing employee relations, OH brings specialist clinical expertise to help businesses manage health risks and safeguard wellbeing. On their own, both make an impact, but together, they’re far stronger.
Each year in the UK, 1.7 million workers experience work-related ill health, leading to over 33 million lost working days. More than half of these cases are linked to stress, depression or anxiety (HSE). For HR professionals striving to protect employee wellbeing and performance, partnering with OH is essential.
HR and OH – Different strengths, shared purpose
HR professionals are often the first port of call when employees face challenges, whether related to performance, wellbeing or absence. Their role is to guide, support and ensure that policies are followed fairly and consistently.
OH, meanwhile, is often the backbone of employee wellbeing. OH professionals are there to provide independent, expert medical advice and recommendations on issues such as absence management, mental health support, fitness for work and workplace adjustments.
Both share the same overall aim of keeping people in work, safe and well, and when they work together, the benefits multiply.
The power of partnership
When HR and OH collaborate, both employees and employers reap the benefits:
- For employees: quicker access to the right support, tailored solutions, improved health and wellbeing, and reassurance that their employer genuinely cares.
- For employers: lower absence rates, reduced staff turnover, improved engagement, greater productivity – and stronger business outcomes.
Considering 3.7 million people in the UK are living with work-limiting health conditions (The Health Foundation), supporting employees effectively is key to a successful, healthy organisation. The return on investment is proven too, with research showing an average of £5 gained for every £1 spent on workplace mental health interventions.
How our occupational health solutions work hand-in-hand with HR
At Medigold Health, our occupational health solutions work seamlessly alongside HR, providing expert medical insight and practical support when it matters most.
By conducting objective management referral and needs assessments and providing robust, impartial advice, we help HR teams make fair, legally sound and defensible decisions around absence management, workplace adjustments and support for long-term health conditions. We can also support with developing structured, medically informed return-to-work plans to enable employees to reintegrate back into the workplace safely and sustainably following sickness absence.
Beyond case management, our health surveillance services and fit-to-work medicals ensure organisations meet their legal obligations and protect workers in safety-critical or high-risk roles. We also offer mental health support, disability and health awareness training, and employee health checks, enabling businesses to proactively promote both mental and physical wellbeing in the workplace.
By working in partnership with occupational health, HR teams can ensure employees feel supported and valued, strengthen trust and engagement, reduce absence, and boost productivity — helping to maintain continuity and drive organisational performance.
Keen to explore why strategic OH is your hidden HR superpower?
Occupational health isn’t just about managing sickness and absence cases – when used strategically, it can transform how your business supports its people.
Join our free webinar where Medigold leaders Alex Goldsmith (CEO), Katie Wery (Chief People Officer) and Toby Donati (Occupational Health Physician) share honest insights into how OH can:
- Boost retention, wellbeing and performance
- Reduce organisational risk and protect your business
- Deliver measurable ROI when embedded at a strategic level
- Help HR teams put the right adjustments in place at the right time
Expect myth-busting, practical takeaways, and a live Q&A to put your questions to the panel. Plus, all attendees will receive a free downloadable guide packed with highlights and advice to take back to their organisations.
Click here to secure your place today – and start seeing OH as the strategic partner it was always meant to be.
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