Nadia Hurley-Smith

The High Cost of Tired Staff (And It’s Not Just Coffee)

Fatigue in the workplace is often overlooked, but it can have serious consequences for both employees and organisations. While many companies focus on productivity, tired staff can quietly affect safety, efficiency, and overall performance. How fatigue affects performance When employees are tired, their concentration and decision-making abilities decline. This can lead to: In roles where … Read more

5 Habits To Improve Your Sleep Quality

World Sleep Day is the 13th of March, and we believe this blog will give you some insights on the importance of sleep and what you can do to improve it. Sleep is something most of us don’t think about until it becomes a problem. A poor night’s sleep can leave you feeling tired, irritable … Read more

How to improve gut health?

Gut health is something many people only think about when something feels wrong. Bloating, discomfort, low energy or frequent stomach upsets can easily become part of everyday life, especially when things are busy. However, gut health affects far more than just digestion and plays an important role in overall wellbeing. What Is Gut Health? Gut … Read more

How to keep Sustainable New Year Resolutions?

While motivation can be high in January, lasting wellbeing is rarely built through short-term resolutions. Instead, it’s about creating habits and support systems that can be maintained throughout the year. What makes Resolutions sustainable? Resolutions are sustainable when they’re realistic, specific, flexible, and built into daily routines, with clear motivation and small, trackable progress. Make … Read more

How to Manage Seasonal Affective Disorder?

You may see changes in yourself as we get deeper into winter. For many, these changes may feel more intense and have a more drastic impact on their day to day life, which is known as a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a kind of depression that develops during the autumn and … Read more

Should I Tell My Employer I Am Neurodivergent?

In recent years, conversations around neurodiversity have become more open and accepted, with more workplaces recognising the value of diverse minds and ways of thinking. Yet for many people who are neurodivergent, deciding whether or not to share this information with their employer can still be a deeply personal and often difficult choice. Understanding Neurodiversity … Read more

When do regulations relating to DSE require a risk assessment?

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments are essential for HR specialists. They’re a key part of protecting staff wellbeing and improving productivity. When Are DSE Risk Assessments Required? Employers must carry out a DSE risk assessment for any employee who: These assessments ensure that desks, chairs, screens, and accessories are set up to reduce risks such … Read more

What happens if occupational health finds you unfit for work?

What does “unfit for work” actually mean? When an OH practitioner deems someone unfit for work, it means that – based on their current health condition – they are unable to safely or effectively perform their role. This might be: It does not necessarily mean they are unfit for any work forever. What happens next? … Read more

New Job, New You: Supporting Employee Wellbeing from Day One!

Starting a new job is like opening a fresh notebook—clean pages, big goals, and a healthy dose of excitement. But let’s be real—it can also come with nerves, unknowns, and the pressure to “hit the ground running.” That’s why at Valentine Occupational Health, we believe that day one should be about more than IT logins … Read more

Can my employer randomly drug test me in the UK?

Alcohol and drug use can create challenges for businesses large and small for many industry sectors. Substance misuse can cost a business in time lost and sickness absence, whilst also creating accidents with subsequent possible litigation. In the UK, employers have a responsibility to maintain a safe and productive workplace, and this sometimes means introducing … Read more

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