We’ve noticed over the years that the employers who hold on to good people aren’t always the ones offering the biggest salaries or the flashiest job titles. More often, it’s the ones who quietly get the basics right. Things like making sure people feel safe at work, that their wellbeing is taken seriously, and that if something does go wrong, it’s handled properly.

Those things don’t always make headlines, but candidates pick up on them. They ask about them in interviews. And they remember them when deciding whether to stay.

Health and safety as part of your reputation

A strong reputation for looking after people is part of what makes a workplace attractive. It’s not just a compliance tick. In our work, we’ve spoken to candidates who actively look for signs an employer is genuine about wellbeing. That might be a clear mental health policy, good support for return to work, or a track record of managing risks well.

Recruitment is becoming more personal. Employers are tailoring the hiring experience to the individual. For many candidates, occupational health is a big part of what they want to know about. For some, it’s the reassurance that mental health support will be there if they need it. For others, it’s knowing that any workplace adjustments will be taken seriously.

The role of occupational health specialists

More employers are now working with occupational health consultants as part of their people strategy. These specialists bring a different lens to recruitment. They can help identify risks before they escalate and suggest practical ways to support employees day to day.

When recruitment and occupational health work in sync, it sends a clear message to candidates. You’re showing them that wellbeing is not an afterthought.

Seeing candidates as people first

Candidates are not just names on a shortlist. They have their own circumstances, pressures and health needs. Employers who recognise this and respond in a thoughtful way build trust from the outset. We’ve seen this make a real difference to loyalty and retention.

Occupational Health Advisors and Practitioners are often the first to hear about challenges staff are facing. They spot trends, suggest improvements and help create environments where people can do their best work safely. When candidates see this kind of support in place, it can be a deciding factor.

Looking ahead

We expect the link between recruitment and occupational health to keep growing. Compliance will always matter, but the real advantage lies in creating workplaces that people want to join and stay in.

As work patterns continue to change and candidates become more aware of their needs, collaboration between recruiters and occupational health teams will be increasingly valuable. The employers who get ahead of this now will have a clear edge.

Bringing it together

The best recruitment results we’ve seen happen when health and hiring work hand in hand. It’s not about big gestures or glossy campaigns. It’s about steady, consistent effort in building a workplace where people feel safe, supported and able to do their best.

When that’s part of your culture, you don’t just fill roles. You keep the right people for longer.