Keep Britain Working Report welcome to address rising sickness absence but recommendations must be backed by policy makers with support to businesses, CIPD warns

Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said:    

“We welcome the launch of the ‘Keep Britain Working’ Final Report which underlines the urgency of reducing job loss, absenteeism and productivity shortfalls through poor wellbeing and health issues. It rightly calls out the leading role of employers to provide for good work and environments supportive of wellbeing, creating significant gains for individuals, employers, and the wider economy.  

“The report makes a compelling case for action by Government and employers to address rising levels of sickness absence and ill health across the UK’s working age population. It sets out a vision of how employers can ‘do prevention’ and put in place early and effective support for disabled employees and those with health conditions, and those returning to work after periods of sickness absence. 

“Its recommendations have the potential to support and incentivise many more employers to make the changes in people management and development practices that can improve people’s health at work. 

“However, the report’s success will depend on the extent to which these recommendations are understood by business in driving positive outcomes and backed by policy makers at a national and regional level. In particular, it will be crucial that the first phase of implementation leads to the provision of more cost effective and accessible quality occupational health services for SMEs. 

“As the CIPD, we will be engaging with our members in the people profession to support the ‘vanguard phase’ and develop the Workplace Health Provision and guidance needed to improve health and business outcomes."