The government review of how employers promote healthy workplaces will include actions and recommendations to prevent people becoming unwell, support early intervention and help return to work.
It also envisaged a “new partnership between government and business” to help deliver the improvement in workforce and societal health, with former John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield announced as leading the employer focused review.
The further details were released as part of the Get Britain Working White Paper.
Presenting the White Paper to Parliament, secretary of state for work and pensions Liz Kendall (pictured) explained the Keep Britain Working review was being undertaken “because employers have such an important role in helping get people into work and to stay in work.”
She added it would look “at the role of UK employers and government in tackling health-related inactivity and creating healthy workplaces.“
“This will be led by the former chair of John Lewis, Sir Charlie Mayfield and it will report in the autumn.”
One of the key priorities listed within the White Paper is supporting employers to promote healthy workplaces and to recruit and retain workers with a health condition or disability.
It highlighted that employers have a key role in creating and maintaining healthy and inclusive workplaces.
“Poor health of the working-age population imposes a large cost on employers, including: poor workplace health impacting performance; costs due to sickness absence; loss of valuable experience when employees drop out of work, and recruitment costs to replace them; and restricted access to the widest pool of potential talent,” it said.
“Employers stand to benefit from promoting workplace health and taking action on preventable illnesses.”
Evidence-based recommendations
The government recognised the importance and benefits of early intervention approaches and highlighted that it was looking to work with businesses.
“Earlier intervention that prevents people from falling out of work, an improvement in retaining people in the workforce, and greater support for absences and returns to work from absences, is good for business, individuals, and wider society,” it said.
“This needs to be approached through a new partnership between government and business, capable of boosting growth and improving opportunities across our economy.”
Giving further detail of what will be examined, the White Paper explained the review will consider actions and make evidenced-based and practical recommendations that support employers to:
- Improve recruitment and retention of disabled people and people with health conditions, including via the new jobs and careers service.
- Prevent people becoming unwell at work and better support good, healthy workplaces.
- Undertake early intervention for sickness absence and increase returns to work.
