Work and Health is Everyone’s Business

Posted 16.08.2019

Following on from the Recruiting Talent 2019 event held in Derby in July we are planning a series of mini events in Nottinghamshire Districts.  Focusing on Inclusive Employment is a priority for Stakeholder Managers and the planned events will support local businesses to increase productivity by helping those who may have health, disability or other problems to work, return to work or maintain their jobs. These events are being planned with local partners including Nottinghamshire County Council, District and Borough Councils, Stakeholder Managers, DWP, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, local businesses and providers. Dates will be added to our Stakeholder Manager Events Page as they are finalised.

We know that good work has benefits for the employer and the wider workforce: it can increase productivity and increase economic prosperity.

It is estimated that over 34.3 million days are lost to minor illnesses.  In the case of musculoskeletal conditions (back and other bone conditions) over 28.2 million days are lost.

But what about those who are in work and have to leave due to long term health conditions?  Every year more than 100,000 people leave their jobs following sickness absence.

The Building Better Opportunities Programme in D2N2 is working with people furthest from the labour market to help them into work and some of these have long term health conditions that have resulted in them having to leave a job in the past.   The government wants your help to shape the support they give to employers to help retain more people in the workplace and employ more people with disabilities.  The Government have produced a report called Improving lives.  This report sets out plans to transform employment prospects for disabled people and those with long term health conditions over the next 10 years. You can view a copy of the report here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-lives-the-future-of-work-health-and-disability

CONSULTATION
The Government has published Health is everyone’s business, a public consultation seeking views on different ways in which government and employers can take action to reduce ill health-related job loss.

Each year more than 100,000 people leave their job following a period of sickness absence lasting at least four weeks. Offering flexibility, early support and occupational health advice are the key to successful retention in the workplace. We know that many employers already see the case to invest in health and wellbeing. But some, particularly smaller ones, might not have the knowledge or time to support their employees with health conditions, even when they want to.

The Government’s consultation seeks to address these challenges which is focussed on four main areas:

  1. Amending the legal framework to encourage early action to support individuals when they are absent from work and to facilitate more conversations to agree effective workplace modifications;
  2. Reforming of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) so that it is better enforced, more flexible and support the lowest paid employees;
  3. Measures to improve availability of high-quality, cost-effective occupational health (OH) services for employers; and
  4. Improving advice and support from government for employers to understand and act on their responsibilities.

You can help shape future plans in this area by accessing the consultation via this link, which will be open until 7th October 2019.

Your views will be invaluable in helping Government to understand the implications of any reforms and how any potential changes can be best implemented in the future. This will be vital in ensuring Government provides employers and employees with the most effective support going forward.

BBO is having a significant impact on individual lives, supporting people to increase their confidence, independence and achieve their employment aspirations.

See what our participants have to say in these case studies …

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