A trailblazing course has been launched in Dorset for businesses to understand and embrace the business benefits of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) best practice. Dorset Chamber is running the free ‘The Business Case for ESG’ programme over the next six months with online sessions open to all firms, countywide.
Event Details
Join Dorset Chamber, in partnership with Dorset Council and BCP Council, for this informative workshop on the importance of employee wellbeing to UK PLC as part of our ESG programme for Dorset businesses.
A Public Health Dorset England report published in December 2020 stated:
In the UK, the total economic cost of sickness absence, lost productivity through worklessness, informal care giving, and health-related productivity losses, are estimated to be over £100bn annually.
Poor mental health among employees costs UK employers £42bn – £45bn each year.
Young professionals have emerged as the most vulnerable demographic in the workplace, being twice as likely to suffer from depression as the average worker and more susceptible to leaveism and financial concerns.
In 2020, Vitality reported that British businesses lost an average of 38 working days per employee to physical and mental health related absence and presenteeism in 2019, up from 23 days in 2014.
Leading workplace health expert Dr Sarah Hattam MB ChB, MRCGP, DFHRH will explore the importance of wellbeing to businesses and the costs of poor health to UK PLC.
Dr Hattam will also provide information on the practical steps businesses can take to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of our teams and reduce absenteeism – whilst improving staff retention and productivity.
The event will also offer the opportunity for a Q and A discussion and we will signpost to further support available.
This free online event is open to all Dorset businesses and booking is essential. Following booking, delegates will be sent a meeting link.
Book your place HERE
Dorset Chamber members book HERE
Workshops with industry experts will cover topics including energy efficiency, carbon footprints and offsetting, renewable energy, employee wellbeing, and community and voluntary sector links. They will also feature details about support available from Low Carbon Dorset. Dorset Chamber, the county’s leading business support organisation, is working in partnership with BCP Council and Dorset Council on the new initiative.
Dorset Chamber chief executive, Ian Girling, said: “ESG remains a mystery for some in business but it is becoming increasingly important and difficult to ignore. Essentially it is a set of principles by which a business’s accountability and transparency as well as its impact on society and the environment is measured. Investors, existing and potential employees, customers and contractors are become more socially, ethically and environmentally aware, so businesses need to increasingly demonstrate their commitment to the principles of ESG.
“Our new programme aims to bust some myths surrounding ESG, help businesses understand and embrace its key aspects, provide practical advice and show the very real and tangible benefits it can bring. We believe our programme is one of the first, and the most comprehensive, courses of its kind in Dorset to help businesses get to grips with the ESG agenda. Together with our partners at the local authorities, we’re keen to see as many businesses as possible take advantage of these free sessions.”
All of the workshops with be held online and are free to all businesses in the county. Businesses can attend all of the sessions or choose which ones are of most interest. For those not able to join the live session, a recorded version will be available on the website.