Keep Britain Working Review: ‘Opportunity for a reset’ in workforce health

A leading think tank has stated that the government’s Review of Keep Britain Working offers an “opportunity for a national reset” on workforce health.

The Work Foundation said that the review will have to acknowledge the fact that supporting employers in order to keep Britain employed “will not come at no cost”. The review is an important part of the reform agenda set out in the white paper Get Britain Working.

Alice Martin, the head of research for the Work Foundation, Lancaster University, welcomed the government’s move, but warned that “we should not be in any illusions as to the size of the task”.

Martin referred to longitudinal research by Work Foundation on the UK working population, which showed that nearly one out of ten employees (9%) experience a decline health leave at work. The majority of this attrition occurs in the first 12 months, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

She said that once someone quits work because of ill health it is increasingly difficult to get them back to work.

“Employers are aware of the challenges their employees face, but they fear getting it wrong in terms of supporting their workers’ physical and mental health.

Only a third (or less) of companies say that they have implemented preventative measures in order to minimize work-related health harms, including assessing workplace mental illness risks and making adjustments to workload, pace, and role clarity.

The Mayfield Review offers the chance to reset national health policies, but it will cost employers money to support them in keeping Britain working.

Martin stated that the review had to find a balance between supporting both employers and workers to reduce the number of people leaving the workforce.

Nearly half of UK businesses pay no more than the statutory sick pay rate, even though the UK’s rate of PS116.75 a week is one of the lowest rates in Europe. “SMEs are particularly aware of these challenges, but they do not always possess the resources or the capacity to help people stay at work while managing their health conditions,” added she.

The review will be completed by autumn. However, the government has promised to release “major reforms to health and disability benefits” in the spring.