UK employers spend £9 billion annually on sick pay and the associated costs, and according to the Office for National Statistics, 137 million working days were lost as a result of injury or sickness in 2016 alone.
In a bid to reduce the substantial number of workers that take time off work each year for health reasons, the Department of Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care have published a consultation looking for views from the public.
The proposals in the consultation, which is open until 15 October 2019, include:
- Making legal changes to incentivise businesses to take early and supportive action during a period of sickness absence.
- Reforming Statutory Sick Pay
- Improving access to occupational health
- Improving businesses’ and self-employed workers’ access to support and expert advice.
Access the consultation and give your views here: https://getinvolved.dwp.gov.uk/work-and-health/consultation/