Beating Blue Monday: International Workplace launches free occupational health and wellbeing training for SMEs

International Workplace is doing its bit to ease the New Year’s blues today by equipping small businesses with the tools to champion mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. ‘Blue Monday’ – the third Monday in January each year – is often cited as the most challenging day of the year for the UK workforce. With the festive season over, wintery weather taking its toll, and a long wait for payday, it’s a time when a little extra support from managers can make all the difference.

From this month, International Workplace is delivering the IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing certificate course to line managers in qualifying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in England, free of charge.

Free courses places are available until 31 March under a special programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, delivered in partnership with Reed Learning. The course is available for self-study online, remotely via virtual classroom, or at one of 12 regional venues across England.

To find out more and book free course places, visit http://www.keepbritainworking.com.

More information

Eligibility

• Must work for an SME in England with 2–249 employees
• Must be a line manager to at least one employee
• Must not have completed the IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course in the last three years

Funding

The programme is being delivered between 1 January and 31 March 2026 and is fully funded by DWP in collaboration with the Department for Health & Social Care, making it completely free for eligible SME line managers. The initiative forms part of the government’s wider ambition to Keep Britain Working, supporting employers to improve workplace health, wellbeing and productivity.

Flexible delivery options

• eLearning (EL): Self-paced online learning (approx. 6 hours)
• Virtual classroom (VC): Live instructor-led sessions delivered via MS Teams (approx. 3.5 hours), supported by eLearning
• Face-to-face (F2F): One-day classroom-based course (approx. 6 hours) delivered at 12 regional venues across England

About the course

The IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course is designed for managers and supervisors in any sector, equipping them with practical tools and techniques to support employee health and wellbeing. The course helps managers develop the confidence to have effective conversations about health, manage occupational health risks, and promote a positive workplace culture.

On successful completion of the course and final assessment project, delegates are awarded the IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing Certificate.