Tuesday 6 December 2011

Just More Rentseeking…

The food in the canteens belonging to private sector employers should be monitored by council inspectors to help improve workers' health, a report says.
A ‘report’? From a quango or fakecharity?

Why, nearly. From a ‘thinktank’:
The private sector could save tens of billions of pounds in productivity lost through sick days if its staff ate better, according to the findings from think tank 2020Health.
I didn’t think it was the private sector that had a problem with excessive sick leave…
2020Health's leading recommendation, according to a Daily Telegraph report, is to expand the role of council health and safety inspectors to the private sector.
Then it can go in the bin, where it deserves to be.
… many in the private sector are likely to see them as giving licence for increased meddling and new red tape.
No s**t, Sherlock!

And getting back to that productivity issue:
It has been estimated that about 3.4million working days could be clawed back annually in the NHS alone if it improved the health of its workers.
Quite! Since they can’t put their own house in order, why should anyone else listen to them?

After all, if they can reduce even Leg-Iron to speechlessness....

11 comments:

Gallovidian said...

"It has been estimated that about 3.4million working days could be clawed back annually in the NHS alone if it improved the health of its workers."

Well all the doctors are in BUPA, what does that tell you?

RantinRab said...

Morrison's staff canteens have had all the salt removed from the tables.

There is only one that is shared in the whole canteen.

Woman on a Raft said...

This one is a creature from the right(ish) rather than the left.

Essentially, it's a lobby group for companies who wish to flog things to the NHS.

http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/2020health

When people maunder on about Andrew Wakefield and how the MMR was unfairly distrusted by parents, it fails to notice that it was precisely because vaccine manufacturers were lobbying like crazy that nobody with a scrap of sense - not even Cherie Blair - would trust them.

Not Immune: UK vaccination policy in a changing world. (2009) Authored by Mark Weston, edited by Julia Manning. Funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Novartis Vaccines , Wyeth and Sanofi Pasteur MSD. According to the report, 2020health had full independence in the design of the study and the writing of the report.

I speak as one who endorses vaccination but I know manipulation when I see it.

Pavlov's Cat said...

I was surprised to find there are still places that have works canteens.

I can't remember the last time I worked at such a place.

Mostly when being given a tour around the premises the mantra 'That's where the canteen used to be, they closed it. But there's a van that comes at one o'clock he has sandwiches'

Captain Haddock said...

@ Rantin Rab ..

"Morrison's staff canteens have had all the salt removed from the tables" ...

The same applies to all British Armed Forces messes, condiments are kept out of the dining areas & have to be specifically requested ..

So, it seems as if TPTB believe that getting one's limbs blown off by Taliban IED's is acceptable .. but they don't trust Troops with the salt ..

Wankers !

Lynne said...

If anyone demands to inspect the contents of my lunch box and deliver a lecture I'll happily comply. But they'll have to prise apart their arse cheeks in order to do so...

Tattyfalarr said...

How on earth is the state supposed to ensure a steady supply of healthy workers handing over billions in taxes if people insist on smoking, drinking and eating what they want to.

How on earth is the NHS and "Big Pharma" supposed to grab their share of those taxes if people DON'T smoke, drink and eat what they want to.

Neither side seems able to agree on a happy medium and so the cash incentives...sorry "people"....in the equation meanwhile carry on regardless. Must be incredibly frustrating for TPTB :)

Anonymous said...

They obviously do not know their own business:

"Who enforces health and safety law?

Health and safety law is enforced by inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or by inspectors from your local authority.

Inspectors have the right to enter any workplace without giving notice, though notice may be given where the inspector thinks it is appropriate. On a normal inspection visit an inspector would expect to look at the workplace, the work activities, your management of health and safety, and to check that you are complying with health and safety law. "

That from the HSE website.
Local authorities already inspect workplaces, such as offices and retail premises, the HSE inspects industry. There is some overlap.

Thinkingaboutit said...

"It has been estimated that about 3.4million working days could be clawed back annually in the NHS alone if it improved the health of its workers."

Not sure how this can be calculated. Depends on the reasons they're off sick doesn't it?
For many NHS staff with direct patient contact it could endanger patients if the sick are treated by staff who are themselves ill. Personally I'd rather not have a sneezy nurse or medic around me in hospital.
It guess it would be interesting though to see the reasons given and sickness rates amongst the clerical staff versus the frontline staff to see how it compares across groups and with the private sector.

JuliaM said...

"Well all the doctors are in BUPA, what does that tell you?"

Indeed!

"Morrison's staff canteens have had all the salt removed from the tables."

GAH!

"This one is a creature from the right(ish) rather than the left. "

Oh, indeed, I'm afraid they are no better, even were you CAN find them...

"I was surprised to find there are still places that have works canteens."

Most small offices get by with 'food heating stations'. Or as we English-speakers call them, a kettle and a microwave in a room. No toaster, the fire officer would go nuts.

JuliaM said...

"So, it seems as if TPTB believe that getting one's limbs blown off by Taliban IED's is acceptable .. but they don't trust Troops with the salt .."

* appalled*

"But they'll have to prise apart their arse cheeks in order to do so..."

Heh!

"Local authorities already inspect workplaces, such as offices and retail premises..."

They don't, currently, go delving into your lunchbox though. That may change...

"It guess it would be interesting though to see the reasons given and sickness rates amongst the clerical staff versus the frontline staff to see how it compares across groups and with the private sector."

That would indeed be very illuminating.