Keeping Wales Working: The Cost of Poor Health to People and Business

Learn practical ways to reduce sickness absence, support employee health and improve productivity, with expert insights and discussion. Wednesday 4th of November 2026 | 09:30–14:00 Sickness absence costs Wales an estimated £2.9 billion in lost economic output each year, with implications for business capacity, workloads and performance. Presenteeism, when people work while unwell, adds to the challenge. What can employers do at an earlier stage, and which changes are most likely to make a difference? In collaboration with British Heart Foundation Cymru, this conference brings together health specialists and employers to explore practical approaches to improving employee health and wellbeing. We’ll consider physical health, stress and workplace culture, alongside the role managers play in supporting their teams. What you’ll learn • How to recognise health concerns earlier and offer appropriate support. • How working practices and management behaviours influence health and performance. • Practical approaches to reducing avoidable absence and supporting people to stay in or return to work. • How to access fully funded wellbeing support, subject to eligibility. • How to assess whether changes are making a difference. With expert insights, practical guidance and an interactive panel, you’ll have opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and identify actions for your own workplace. Who should attend? Business owners, senior leaders, HR professionals, line managers and anyone with responsibility for employee health, wellbeing or performance. Agenda 09:30 | Registration, networking and refreshments 10:00 | Welcome and Opening Remarks Chambers Wales SESWM Setting the scene: workforce health in Wales and the connection between employee support, workplace absence and business performance. 10:15 | Heart Health at Work Rhodri Thomas, British Heart Foundation Cymru Professor Barry McDonnell, Cardiff Metropolitan University Exploring cardiovascular health, hypertension and the practical steps employers can take to support heart health at work. 11:10 | Refreshment break 11:25 | Managing Wellbeing in the Workplace Julie Thomas, Senior Lecturer in Strategic People Management, University of Wales Trinity Saint David Drawing on extensive research and 20 years’ experience in people management, Julie will explore the key causes and upstream drivers of poor workplace wellbeing, including how work is designed, organised and managed. She’ll share practical changes to management behaviours and ways of working that have been shown to have a measurable impact on workplace wellbeing. 12:05 Under Pressure | How Mind and Body Respond to Stress Simon Delve, Samten Drawing on his own wellbeing journey and work with Samten, Simon explores how stress affects mind and body, the role of the vagus nerve and practical techniques we can all adopt to manage everyday pressures and support our wellbeing. 12:20 | Lunch and networking 13:00 | Expert Panel: What More Can We Do to Keep People Well at Work? Chaired by Penny Lock, Chambers Wales SESWM A practical discussion about turning the morning’s insights into action. Where should employers start, what barriers might they face, and how can businesses with limited time and resources make meaningful changes? The panel will explore prevention, physical activity, early support and helping people stay in or return to work. You’ll also hear about fully funded wellbeing interventions available through Case UK and how eligible businesses and individuals can access them. Includes audience questions. Meet the panellists: Louise Adams, Clinical Complementary Therapist and Qualified Lecturer, JustB Louise brings 25 years’ experience as a clinical complementary therapist and qualified lecturer, including work at Velindre Cancer Centre, Teenage Cancer Trust and her own clinic at Bupa. She brings a complementary therapy perspective to the panel, contributing to the discussion on stress, wellbeing and how employers can support their people. Pippa Carter, CPP Wellbeing Pippa is a physiotherapy and wellbeing specialist who helps organisations understand how to support employees and prevent ill health before problems arise. Her approach, and that of the CPP Wellbeing team, combines education, early intervention and personalised support to improve long-term health and wellbeing. Alex Bull, Founder, Studio Tarw Alex Bull is the founder of Studio Tarw, Cardiff’s boutique fitness studio, built on the belief that movement, connection and community can transform how people feel, both inside and outside the workplace. With over 14 years in the fitness industry, including leadership roles across some of the UK’s leading fitness brands, Alex brings a people first perspective on the link between physical activity, mental wellbeing and performance. Through Studio Tarw, she is passionate about creating environments where people feel supported, celebrated for every achievement and discover what they’re capable of Emma Hanford, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Case UK Emma helps connect employers and individuals with health and wellbeing support. She’ll explain Case UK’s fully funded services, including mental health support, physical therapies and workplace wellbeing workshops, and how eligible businesses can access them. 13:50 | Closing Remarks and Practical Takeaways Chambers Wales SESWM & British Heart Foundation Cymru Reflecting on the day’s discussions and identifying practical actions employers can take back to their workplaces. 14:00 | Close For booking support, please contact [email protected].