Alarm bells are ringing over employee absences
In recent news, the long-term sickness levels in the UK have reached an all-time high and this is having a huge impact on the economy, businesses, and raising concerns of public health. It comes due to a mix of contributing factors such as NHS waitlists and strikes, mental health crisis and poor workplace practices.
Why is long-term sickness on the increase?
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of people inactive due to long-term sickness is now 2.8 million and since last year, it’s been a huge increase of 200,000. Reasons for such a drastic increase include mental health; around 51% of long-term sick leave is due to stress, depression, or anxiety.
The role of Mental Health in long-term sickness
Whether poor mental health is caused by work or other personal reasons, there’s a large gap in support with wellbeing in the workplace and this means that many people may leave work or go on long-term sickness as they struggle to cope with their declining mental wellness.
How Occupational Health can help prevent persistent employee sickness
Occupational health and wellbeing support not only helps to prevent long-term sickness, but it can also make people feel more comfortable having a support plan in place upon their return. Exteral occupational health services can also reduce NHS waitlists as it means employees can be seen sooner and offered the correct diagnosis and support.
Faster access to diagnosis and treatment
Staff can be given psychological support and physio treatment via occupational health much quicker than via the NHS. Long-term sickness being at an all-time-high can be attributed to the fact that the waitlist for medical help is too large, resulting in a build-up of those awaiting support or treatment.
Workplace adjustments to support recovery
With Occupational Health in place, employees who cannot perform certain tasks due to injuries or conditions can be supported through reasonable adjustments. This prevents conditions from worsening and reduces the likelihood of extended absence.
Keeping employees in work, not out of work
Rather than long-term absence, Occupational Health enables employees to remain productive, comfortable and confident in their roles, minimising strain and preventing further problems.
Expert view: Why Occupational Health matters
UKIM’s Consultant Occupational Physician, Alison Tweedie, explains…
“Long term sickness is the most common reason for leaving the workforce and this has associated societal and economic implications. Higher sickness absence rates suggest that the population is living and working with more significant health issues and symptoms from health conditions than usual, and this is concerning.
UKIM Occupational Health & Wellbeing supports businesses to help individuals with health conditions to maintain attendance at work with tailored plans, considering the nature and impact of symptoms as well as the nature of their job. Overall, its aim is to keep individuals at work with ongoing health conditions rather than defaulting to sickness absence, which with associated long NHS waiting times would likely to be an extended time away from work. As above, longer time away from work increases the difficulty to return to the same post and may result in loss of employment.”
UKIM Occupational Health & Wellbeing - nationwide support for businesses
Here at UKIM Occupational Health & Wellbeing, we have a vast number of clinicians all across the UK as well as in-house clinicians at our HQ. We deliver both physical and psychological wellbeing support to ensure that employees and businesses are healthy and happy.
