The role of Occupational Health in Sickness Management
Employees are the most valuable asset an organisation has and as such sickness absence costs:
- UK Plc over £12 billion a year;
- Employers £495 a year in direct costs for every worker employed. Indirect costs are probably considerably more (CBI 2005 statistics)
The HSE recognises that a sensible and pragmatic sickness absence programme will drastically reduce these costs for an organisation through the following:
- Improved business performance;
- Retention of valued staff;
- Safe and healthy workplaces;
- Better workplace relations.
A report commissioned by the government into long-term sickness absence from work has recommended that independent panels with Occupational Health competence should assess when people are fit enough to return to work.
The panels would take the place of employees' own GPs.
The review into dealing with long-term sickness at work also suggests tax breaks for firms which employ people who suffer from long-term conditions.
It is estimated the moves would mean 20% of the people currently on sickness absence would return to work.
To read more on the proposals from Prof Carol Black, one of the report's author’s, please visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15801515
