Summary
Around 175 million working days were lost to illness in 2006. Some 7% of the working-age population is workless and receiving benefits because of long-term health conditions or disabilities. This represents a significant cost to the economy - in cost of benefits, healthcare, forgone taxes, lost production, sickness absence, informal care - estimated at between £103 and £129 billion.
This Review from Dame Carol Black (the National Director for Health and Work), 'Working for a Healthier Tomorrow', establishes the first baseline for the health of the working population. Its vision for health and work in Britain is based on three principal objectives: prevention of illness and promotion of health and well-being; early intervention for those who develop a health condition; and an improvement in the health of those out of work.
The Review also examines the role of the workplace in health and well-being. Employers, trade unions, employees, health and safety practitioners should all promote the benefits of investment in health and well-being.
The recommendations of the Review include:
- A fundamental shift in the perception of fitness for work is needed, to move away from it being inappropriate to be at work if not 100% fit.
- Early intervention can prevent short-tem sickness becoming more serious and pilot trials of a new 'Fit for Work' service are proposed.
- More health support for workless people on incapacity benefits is recommended.
- Professional expertise for working age health is needed and occupational health should be in the mainstream of healthcare provision.
- To safeguard the future health of the working population, young people should understand the benefits of a life in work.
Found this story interesting?
Spread the news by
clicking below to add it to your bookmarking service:
Law-Making Explained
This is a Review by Dame Carol Black, the National Director for Health and Work. It is an independent review commissioned jointly by the Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).