Mortimer Environmental, a small environmental consultancy, needed clearer guidance and confidence in managing occupational health and wellbeing for a growing team.
Key takeaways
Industry
Environmental Consultancy
Challenge
Mortimer Environmental, a small environmental consultancy, needed clearer guidance and confidence in managing occupational health and wellbeing for a growing team – particularly around recruitment, disclosure and reasonable adjustments – without in-house HR support.
Results
Following completion of IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing via eLearning, Mortimer Environmental introduced structured health screening, improved wellbeing conversations and adopted a more proactive, preventative approach to employee health – strengthening both compliance and team support.
Course
IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing
About Mortimer Environmental
Mortimer Environmental is a specialist environmental consultancy founded eight years ago by Alison and Oliver Barnett. The business employs a small team of ecologists delivering survey, reporting and advisory services across the UK. As a growing SME, company directors take on multiple responsibilities including HR, recruitment, health, safety and wellbeing.
The challenge
As Director at Mortimer Environmental, Alison Barnett is responsible not only for business strategy and delivery, but also for managing people, recruitment and wellbeing. While Alison had previously completed IOSH Managing Safely training, she identified a gap in her knowledge around occupational health – particularly what employers can and cannot legally ask employees or candidates about their health.
Without formal HR infrastructure, these conversations felt high-risk. Alison described uncertainty around health disclosures, reasonable adjustments and avoiding unintentional discrimination.
This lack of clarity became particularly challenging when health conditions emerged after employment had begun, leaving uncertainty around how best to support individuals while meeting legal obligations. With recruitment increasing ahead of peak survey season, Alison needed practical, accessible training that could fit around a demanding workload.
"I didn’t have a lot of confidence in the type of questions you can ask people about their health and wellbeing without appearing discriminatory. "
Alison Barnett, Director, Mortimer Environmental
The solution
Alison chose the IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course delivered via eLearning, allowing her to complete the training flexibly around business commitments.A key benefit was access to practical templates, including a health screening questionnaire that could be immediately implemented.The training clarified what questions employers can ask, when they should be asked and how to respond appropriately when employees disclose health conditions.The course also strengthened Alison’s understanding of prevention – supporting employees before issues escalate into sickness absence – as well as managing return-to-work processes where required
"It was very easy to access and I could fit it in around a busy schedule.The modules were clear, logical and really intuitive to use. "
Alison Barnett, Director, Mortimer Environmental
The results
Since completing the training, Mortimer Environmental has introduced structured health screening as part of its recruitment process, enabling health considerations to be raised early and addressed proactively.
Alison has also applied the learning in real workplace situations, holding informed, supportive wellbeing conversations with team members and putting practical adjustments in place, such as flexible breaks, wellbeing support and tailored guidance.
The training has provided greater legal clarity and practical tools, enabling Mortimer Environmental to maintain a personalised, preventative approach to wellbeing while reducing risk and strengthening compliance as the business continues to grow.
"It’s given me the confidence to have open, supportive conversations and to know what we can put in place as an employer. "
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