A former human resources manager's views

Over the past decade there has been a growing interest in occupational health as a result of some high profile legal cases, the growth of research into the psychological contract and the need to invest in people's health and development. In this article a personal viewpoint is expressed that if occupational health physicians or psychologists are to make an effective contribution to the long-term business success of their employers then they must adopt a strategic approach to their work. They ought to be able to do this and still maintain their clinical autonomy and protect the interests of their employee clients. The need for partnerships between bodies representing clinicians, managers and government agencies is also explored, taking into consideration the government's green paper Our Healthier Nation.