A recent report led by former John Lewis CEO Sir Charlie Mayfield highlights the growing issue of economic inactivity in the UK, primarily due to health-related reasons. It states that there are currently 800,000 more individuals sidelined from work for health reasons compared to 2019, resulting in an annual cost of £85 billion to employers.
Sir Charlie Mayfield, who will lead a taskforce focused on reintegrating these individuals into the workforce, emphasized that this crisis is not inevitable and could improve with the right interventions. The taskforce will collaborate with general practitioners to enhance the decision-making process regarding sick notes, in order to assist people in remaining at work.
According to the report, one in five working-age individuals is out of work and not seeking employment, with an additional 600,000 people projected to exit the workforce due to health reasons by the decade’s end. The rise in sickness is attributed to increased mental health issues among younger generations as well as musculoskeletal problems among older employees. This trend not only impacts employer productivity through costs related to sick pay and staff turnover but also contributes to wider economic concerns, as the state spends £212 billion annually on illness-related inactivity.
The UK government is engaging over 60 major companies, including Tesco and Google UK, to formulate workplace health strategies aimed at decreasing absenteeism and boosting disability employment rates. A voluntary certified standard is anticipated by 2029. Meanwhile, business groups express concerns that certain proposals, such as the Employment Rights Bill, might discourage the hiring of those with existing health issues.
In light of these developments, various stakeholders have acknowledged the necessity of addressing the barriers that hinder disabled individuals from finding employment, indicating a need for both employer support and legislative action.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7v80n7mz2jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss