Reducing sick leave by working to prevent ill health

What can we learn from the Netherlands and Denmark when it comes to workplace health? Much, it seems. A new report published in March by the Commission for Healthier Working Lives and The Health Foundation not only reveals the impact of ill health on businesses, it also sets out how our European counterparts are reducing sick leave by working to prevent ill health. 

 

At the moment, one in 13 UK adults is unable to work due to long term illness, with mental health and musculoskeletal problems causing the main issues. By working together, in a proactive and sustained way, these talented and valued people can get back into the workplace. 

 

Here are a few statistics from the report: 

 

📈 8.2 million working-age people in the UK report having a long-term health condition that limits their ability to work 

📈 300,000 people leave their jobs and end up out of the workforce entirely each year due to health conditions, predominantly musculoskeletal or mental health conditions 

📈 1.7 million people in Great Britain have health conditions caused or made worse by work 

📈 29% of employers offer little or no health-related support 

📈 45% of workers have access to occupational health or vocational rehabilitation services 

📈 3% of people with work-limiting health conditions return to employment after 12 months out of work 

📈 £150 billion is the estimated annual cost to UK employers through lost productivity, sickness absence, and recruitment costs due to poor workforce health 

📈 £20.9 billion was spent on incapacity benefits in 2019/20, expected to rise to £32.1 billion by 2029/30 

 

Among the stark figures, the authors present a solution for how we can reverse the trends. Throughout, they stress the need for early intervention to prevent health-related job losses. Employers can play a crucial role by designing roles that enable good health, being flexible around staff, and offering timely access to specialist support when needed. 

 

Verve Healthcare's health assessments and pay-as-you-go mental health, physiotherapy and private GP services are designed to address this issue. 

 

The report notes that countries like the Netherlands and Denmark have higher employment rates for people with health conditions due to early intervention and structured return-to-work support. 

 

The Netherlands and Denmark have committed to long-term investment in early intervention and practical support, partnering with corporate health providers to help keep their staff healthy and productive. This led to consistent progress in addressing work and health challenges. 

 

Are you looking for a healthcare partner to reduce your company's levels of sick leave? Find out more about our services here.