Minister defends govt work reforms
Wed 26 Nov 2008
Work and pensions secretary James Purnell has defended the government's employee health and wellbeing reforms.
Mr Purnell told Personnel Today government has no plans to force companies to report on occupational health as part of their annual report.
He went on to say the government was looking at how it can "help employers understand the costs to them of sick pay, occupational health, hiring and training new staff".
The government recently responded to Dame Carol Black's review of workers' health, which revealed 40 per cent of employers had no sickness absence management policy.
Health secretary Alan Johnson announced a series of initiatives in response to Dame Carol's recommendations.
Government proposals include an electronic "fit note" – to replace a sick note –and pilots of a range of new 'Fit for Work' services.
National Statistics reveal that female employees and younger workers are most likely to call in sick.
Workers in call centre jobs in Leicester follow the same reporting procedures found in other call centre jobs.
