Diary notice: 16 June 2010 Physios launch Fit for Work campaign

Embargoed until 00.01 hrs 16th June 2010

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) will launch its Fit for Work campaign on Wednesday 16th June 2010 with the publication of new research showing that poor work habits are damaging the health of workers and the UK economy. The CSP research will highlight that poor work practices such as not taking sufficient breaks, going into work when ill or stressed and neglecting the need to take regular exercise due to a busy workload, are impacting on the health of UK workers and costing employers dear. The launch of Fit for Work will include publication of new CSP leaflets with ideas and advice on how to stay healthy at work for staff in offices and those employed in more manual work. To get the latest Fit for Work leaflet please go to: http://www.csp.org.uk/director/members/libraryandpublications/csppublications.cfm?item_id=520BDC6FFBA883413BB93CDD5F5087DC ENDS For more information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson and case study please contact the CSP press office on 020 7306 1111. Out of hours please call Jennie Edmondson, CSP head of press and PR, on 07786 332197 or Becca Bryant 07786-546095. NOTES TO EDITORS: 1. An estimated 9.3 million working days (full-day equivalent) were lost through musculoskeletal disorders caused or made worse by work in GB (Labour Force Survey 2008/09). The Work Foundation estimates that MSDS cost society approximately £7.4billion a year. Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for an estimated 11.4 million days off work in GB (HSE 2008/09). In 2009, NICE estimated the cost to UK employers of work related stress at £28.3bn per annum - a quarter of the UK's total sick bill. This figure is composed of absenteeism, presentism and turnover costs. 2. The CSP’s Fit for Work campaign is part of its wider Move for Health campaign which encourages people to adopt healthier life styles. Making healthy choices, like eating a balanced diet, taking exercise and having a work-life balance, can protect a person’s mental health in the same way that it does their physical health. 3. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 49,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants. For previous press releases visit www.csp.org.uk