Work Wise North East (WWNE) is forging stronger links with the Public Health North East as it seeks to encourage a greater focus on health and fitness in the workplace.

One of the principle areas of interest within the Work Wise campaign is looking at how smarter working encourages an organisation to function with a more flexible approach. This can mean the introduction of working from home, remote working, agile working, job sharing or staggering working hours, for example.

Related closely to promoting greater awareness about health and wellbeing within the workplace, the type of smarter working practices promoted by the Work Wise campaign can improve work-life balance for employees, allowing staff to balance work and caring responsibilities. This opens up wider opportunities to pursue more out-of-work activities, which leads to lower levels of sickness and absenteeism.

Work Wise also delivers benefits within the area of productivity. Seven out of ten employers believe flexible working improves staff morale and productivity, whilst enhancing staff retention and talent attraction.

In the opinion of Simon Roberson, WWNE Chairman, adopting smarter working practices is valuable for both the employer and staff. He believes that with a more flexible approach, employers grow to value the contribution of their workforce, which in turn creates greater staff loyalty. With a more committed and motivated workforce, there is less sickness and absenteeism, and a greater willingness to adapt to change.

He says: "Even a limited change in working practices and culture will lead to increased business productivity and competiveness, reduce transport congestion and pollution and harmonise work and family commitments. The Work Wise campaign really does tick all the boxes and the results of working smarter have never been more relevant to employers.

"We are looking forward to developing a closer working relationship with Public Health North East. We share many similar objectives and it makes sense to promote these common areas of interests at a time when there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the economy. Stress and anxiety over employment issues can certainly take their toll and whilst offering flexible working for staff is an option for employers to consider as a means of reducing costs, making the decision to get fit and stay fit is an action for which the individual has complete control. This is central to achieving an improved work-life balance."

Amongst those who have already been pursuing the benefits of a healthier workplace is Peter Wignall, Managing Director of The Workplace Travel Plan Company and a member of the WWNE Steering Group (pictured).

Along with other workers and students located at Team Valley, he recently took part in Team Green Britain Bike Week which promoted cycling as a cheap alternative to the daily commute by car, shrinking his organisation's carbon footprint with resulting environmental benefits.