'Concerning picture' | Health & safety seen as 'box-ticking exercise' by more than half of HR pros

More than half of HR professionals believe health and safety in their organisation feels like a box-ticking exercise rather than genuine care, according to new research that also found growing concerns around workplace injury suppression and the use of gagging clauses.

Research commissioned by the National Accident Helpline found 56% of workers say health and safety in their organisation feels like “box-ticking” rather than a meaningful priority, including the same proportion (56%) of HR professionals tasked with overseeing workplace wellbeing.

The findings come alongside concerns over workplace injury reporting, with one in six UK workers (16%) saying they have signed a waiver or non-disclosure agreement (NDA) after a workplace injury, rising to 34% among 18 to 24-year-olds.

Health and safety ‘feels like box-ticking’

The survey of 2,000 UK employees, conducted by Censuswide, paints a concerning picture of workplace safety culture, with many workers feeling pressure to prioritise productivity over wellbeing.