The welfare state

I read Kieran Duignan’s response (Letters, 7 May) to Rob Briner’s HR column (9 April) with interest. However, can we please be quite clear here about what is welfare and what is health and safety? Welfare is about viewing staff as individuals with individual problems, both inside and outside of work. A welfare officer will meet clients to discuss personal issues related to debt, relationship problems, childcare issues and so on.