Simple support keeps workers healthy

Thu 7 Aug 2008 at 4:16 PM

Simple healthcare support systems keep workers healthy, according to new research by the University of York.

Its study on behalf of the Department for Work and Pension found good management and healthcare could reduce long-term sickness by 60 per cent.

Potentially, the number of workers moving to seek incapacity benefits could also fall by the same amount – news, which pleased the work and pensions secretary James Purnell.

He said: "This evidence shows working can be an important step in people's recovery."

Mr Purnell also wants to double the amount of money available to employers to "adapt the workplace to accommodate employees with specific needs".

Earlier welfare reforms proposed by the government included a back-to-work scheme and a revised sick note procedure, which focused on what workers were able to achieve.

The London Borough of Brent reduced its sickness levels by an average of five days. Its chief executive Gareth Daniel said it had encouraged "high professional standards and 'zero tolerance' of corruption or behavior such as unjustified absence".

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