Workplace health overhaul puts ‘keeping Britain working’ in sharp focus

Workplace health overhaul plans mean employers across the UK have been told they must take a bigger role in keeping Britain working, after a major review warned that ill-health is pushing millions of people out of jobs and weighing heavily on the economy.

The government-backed report says long-term sickness has become one of the biggest reasons people leave the labour market and argues that workplace health can no longer be left solely to individuals and the NHS.

The government-backed report says long-term sickness has become one of the biggest reasons people leave the labour market and argues that workplace health can no longer be left solely to individuals and the NHS.

Led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, the review calls for a fundamental reset in occupational health so that employers, staff and the state work together to stop people dropping out of work in the first place.

“We need to fix this,” Sir Charlie said. “Health can no longer be seen as something that sits purely with the individual or the health service. It has to become a genuine partnership between the people, their employers and the state.”

A shift in how health is managed at work

The report proposes a significant expansion of workplace support, with employers expected to spend about £6 billion a year in total, which works out at roughly £5 to £15 per employee per month. That money would go towards early intervention, occupational health, and practical return-to-work plans.

It also envisages closer links between workplace schemes and digital NHS services, so that staff who fall ill can get quicker support and employers can plan phased returns. Over time, the system could reduce the need for traditional fit notes.

More than sixty employers will test the new approach over the next three years, with smaller businesses supported through regional partnerships and potential tax incentives for investing in staff wellbeing.

The cost of doing nothing

More than nine million working-age adults are now classed as economically inactive. Almost three million of them say long-term sickness is the main reason. That is the highest figure on record.

The review warns that if businesses do not invest in workplace health, they will continue to face rising absence, staff churn and lower productivity. If the recommendations are adopted widely, the report says the economy could gain up to £18 billion a year.

“Employers must be in the lead,” Sir Charlie said. “Some may resist that message amid tight margins and slow growth. But many already recognise they are carrying the cost of ill-health every day.”

London businesses on the frontline

For London firms, which already operate in a high-pressure environment, the message is sharper. Long commutes, higher living costs and demanding roles make employees more vulnerable to burnout and stress-related absence. The review suggests smaller companies will need tailored support so they are not penalised for doing the right thing.

Next steps

Officials will now work with participating employers to collect data on absence, outcomes and productivity. Guidance will also be made available for firms looking to buy accredited occupational health services.

The full set of recommendations is available to read in the Keep Britain Working review.

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[Image Credit | Live and Let Fly]

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