Evidence is not enough: The challenges of engaging organisational stakeholders with different perspectives

Abstract

Since Dame Carol Black’s report on the Health of the working age population in Britain (Black, Working for a healthier tomorrow: work and health in Britain. The Stationery Offi ce, London, 2008), there have been an increasing number of initiatives at government, and more local organizational level, aimed at reducing sickness absence, increasing the number of people who stay in or return to work and improving workplace health. The Fit For Work Team, are a not for profit social enterprise providing work and health expertise and services. Our Health at Work Service, commissioned by Public Health uses an evidence based workplace health needs assessment tool. The Service carries out a health needs assessment for the organizations and analyses the results to develop a customised organizational intervention plan to address the priorities identified. The service supports organizations in implementing interventions and subsequently repeats the needs assessment to measure impact. However, despite being based on identifi ed need and evidence based interventions failure to engage key stakeholders derails the process. This chapter will outline how the perceptions of key organizational stakeholders; including Public Health commissioning teams, employers and employees, constitute a barrier to engagement. It will outline successful strategies for engagement based on recognising and addressing barriers, and adapting the business case and evidence to address the particular stakeholder’s perspective.