Recent figures have revealed that 120,000 people are currently classified as ‘long-term sick’ in Northern Ireland.[i]
The figure from the latest Northern Ireland Labour Market Report, published in March 2025, marks an increase of 4,000 people (3.2%) in just one year and a rise of 17,000 since pre-pandemic levels in 2020.
One key contributor to rise in long term absence may be work-related stress, which along with anxiety and depression, were to blame for half of all work-related ill health in 2023, according to the HSE’s Labour Force Survey. Their research found employees affected by these conditions took an average of 19.6 days off work, placing increasing pressure on businesses and the economy.[ii]
How Work Well Live Well Can Help
One way local employers can take action is through our free ‘Work Well Live Well’ programme. The programme which is delivered by NICHS and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) aims to help workplaces improve their employees' health and wellbeing through personalised support. The programme supports organisations to develop a bespoke 3-year action plan and strategy for their workplace as well as providing access to training, webinars, resources and networking opportunities, all completely free of charge.
Success Story - Beechvale Nursing Home
One local business which has availed of the free support to prioritise the health of their staff is Beechvale Nursing Home, Killinchy. A number of staff have completed training to become ‘Health Champions’, gaining skills to create and implement a three year health and wellbeing action plan. The organisation has also benefitted from a free health ‘Well Talk’ for staff on Stress Management.
Susan Ringland from Beechvale Nursing Home says, “We joined the Work Well Live Well Programme to better support our staff in looking after their physical, emotional, intellectual, and social wellbeing. While we’ve always valued staff wellbeing, we recognised that we needed structure and guidance on how to implement meaningful, sustainable changes. The programme provided that guidance, along with the tools and encouragement to make wellbeing a central part of our workplace culture.”
“As part of our Action Plan, so far some of the initiatives we have introduced have included Fruity Fridays with fruit and cereal bars available for staff, our ‘Beechvale Brief’ which is a daily briefing that includes reminders about healthy habits, installing outdoor picnic tables and placing wellbeing posters throughout the building. We also held massage days with a professional therapist visiting over two days to offer 15-minute head, neck, and shoulder massages, as well as a bowling afternoon and health checks for staff, providing much needed stress-free time and showing staff they are appreciated.”
“We’ve also introduced some different initiatives that have benefitted staff, residents and visitors, like our social sessions with Little Stars playgroup. These intergenerational visits have brought joy and connection, and we continue hosting the children monthly. We also hosted a Fun Day which was a joyful, all-inclusive activity day for staff, residents, families, and visitors, complete with games, including a human fruit machine, much laughter, and some successful fundraising for local charities.”
Susan adds, “The biggest impact has been that staff are more willing to talk, share, and support one another - and to seek help when needed. Our initiatives have created excitement and connection, while discreet resources such as posters made it easier for those who might be nervous to seek support. Importantly, the programme has made wellbeing part of everyday conversation at Beechvale.”
To other organisations considering taking part, Susan says, “Do it—there is absolutely nothing to lose and so much to gain. The changes you’ll witness in your team are incredible. Staff are more connected, more engaged, and genuinely happier. You’ll laugh together, share experiences, and discover new ways to support one another.
The support from the programme team is exceptional—our mentors were approachable, knowledgeable, and always ready to help. Sharing ideas, learning from others, and having ongoing support made all the difference in sustaining our momentum.”
What Our Team Say
Rebecca Hawkins, Workplace Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator at Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke says; “These statistics are startling. Individuals may need to take sick leave for a wide variety of reasons, and in some cases it is unavoidable. However, the workplace can have a huge impact on people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and we want employers to know that there are steps they can take to help. The free Work Well Live Well programme which we deliver, funded by the PHA, helps workplaces gain training and skills, and get access to personalised support and guidance from our team, so they can take practical steps to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce. As a charity, creating healthier workplaces also helps us reach towards our wider goals of promoting healthier families and communities across Northern Ireland.”
“Beechvale Nursing Home is a great example of a workplace which wanted to make a positive change and put staff health first. The initiatives put in place by the staff so far have been a great success and have made a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the team.”
“We are now recruiting new workplaces in the Southern, South Eastern and Northern Trusts to take part in the programme and would encourage organisations of all types and sizes to get in touch to find out how Work Well Live Well can help them.”
For more information and to register for Work Well Live Well, visit nichs.org.uk/workwelllivewell
[i] Northern Ireland Labour Market Report, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency -
https://datavis.nisra.gov.uk/economy-and-labour-market/labour-market-report-march-2025.html
[ii] HSE Labour Force Survey - LFS - Labour Force Survey - Self-reported work-related ill health and workplace injuries: Index of LFS tables
