The UK must improve access to occupational health services if it is serious about reducing sickness absence and helping people back into work, according to a new report from IOSH.
The study highlights concerns among the workforce, with one in six employees doubting their employer would support them if they developed a long-term physical condition or disability. A further one in five said they would not expect adequate backing if faced with mental health challenges.
IOSH’s report, Fixing sick Britain: getting people back to work through good occupational health and safety, sets out a series of measures to close these gaps. Key recommendations include greater government investment in occupational health, targeted public health initiatives, stronger support for SMEs, and incentives for employers to promote healthy workplaces and work-life balance.
The report is being released ahead of IOSH’s fringe event at the Labour Party Conference, Healthy workers, stronger economy: Labour’s occupational health opportunity. Speakers will include Sir Charlie Mayfield, who is leading the Government’s Keep Britain Working Review.
IOSH argues that stronger occupational health systems are vital to complement workplace safety, with 2.8mn working-age people currently out of work due to ill health. The cost to businesses is estimated at £150bn annually, alongside additional strain on the NHS and welfare services.
Yet only 45% of the workforce currently has access to occupational health provision. In a YouGov survey of 1,100 workers commissioned by IOSH, nearly three-quarters said they want universal occupational health services available locally.
"The number of people unable to work due to ongoing health conditions shows we need to create the right occupational health and safety frameworks that focus on prevention, support good work and job design, and create supportive environments that accommodate people’s needs," said Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH.
“As part of this, we need stronger, more accessible occupational health services that can drive prevention strategies, promote good health and help people stay in work, as well as support return to work and rehabilitation when people do become ill. This can help to cut sickness rates, ease NHS and benefit pressures, and boost economic growth.
“We’re calling on the Government to invest in this area. And we don’t just want this to be something which benefits those employed in large organisations; this needs to cover smaller employers to ensure that people are able to remain healthy and safe and remain in work for the benefit of both themselves and the economy.”
