UK government to work with British Airways, Google, and others on new sick leave rules
More than 60 major and many small employers are joining forces with the government to tackle the rising tide of ill-health that is pushing people out of work and holding back growth.
More than 60 major and many small employers are joining forces with the government to tackle the rising tide of ill-health that is pushing people out of work and holding back growth.
Published on Tuesday (4 November), the landmark Review sets out the stark reality facing the UK:
- Employers lose 85 billion a year from sickness, turnover, and lost productivity;
- One in five working-age adults are now out of the labour force – 800,000 more than in 2019 due to health reasons;
- The cost of ill-health that prevents work equals 7% of GDP – nearly 70% of all income-tax receipts;
- UK employment among disabled people stands at 53%, below that of leading OECD nations.
In response, the government will partner with employers to reshape how health issues and disabilities are managed in the workplace with the launch of employer-led Vanguards.
The Vanguards – including household names such as British Airways, Google, Sainsbury’s, Holland and Barrett alongside Mayoral Combined Authorities and SMEs – are early adopters who will develop and refine workplace health approaches over the next three years to build the evidence base for what works.
They’re committing to embracing the report’s healthy working lifecycle – which aims to reduce sickness absence, improve return-to-work rates, and increase disability employment rates – which the government will work towards developing into a voluntary certified standard by 2029.
“Britain is sliding into an avoidable crisis. Ill-health has become one of the biggest brakes on growth and opportunity. But this is not inevitable,” said Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the Keep Britain Working Review.
He noted that employers are uniquely placed to make a difference, preventing health issues where possible, supporting people when they arise, and helping them return to work.
“If we keep Britain working, everyone wins – people, employers, and the state. That’s why the action the government is taking forward from my Review is so important.
“I’m looking forward to working with them and with employers, large and small, to keep people in work, unlock potential and build a healthier, more prosperous Britain.”
To help drive this work forward, Mayfield will co-lead a Vanguard Taskforce with Ministers, bringing together employers, disabled people, workers’ representatives, and health experts.
The Taskforce will work with Vanguards to develop the interventions and build the evidence for what works. This will inform wider reform by identifying what approaches could become part of the future employment landscape and drive adoption.
