Bosses not helping staff back to work - research

Half of British workers would not receive any support in returning to work from a long absence or do not know what help is available, according to new research.

The study revealed that people being able to work flexible hours or from home would be the most effective way of preventing absences in the first place.

Canada Life's survey found some employers have made certain their staff are aware of the assistance available to them, for instance, 30% of respondents reported having catch-up meetings with 21% allowed to work flexible hours.

This was in contrast to the 18% who said they knew they would receive no support and 32% that were unaware of what would be offered.

In response to this, most employees said they would appreciate help in constructing a plan to organise their time and workload (24%), followed by the opportunity to see a counsellor or medical professional through the workplace (23%).

And 19% would like to be assigned a ‘buddy' to help to ease them back in and provide an update on the business.

Employees said that flexible hours (59%) and the ability to work from home (53%) would be the best ways of avoiding unnecessary absences occurring (see graph).

Paul Avis, Sales and Marketing Director at Canada Life Group Insurance, explained that a prolonged period of absence from work could be extremely stressful for employees in itself, without worrying about their return.

"It is worrying that so many do not know what level of help and support they can expect upon their return," he said.

"Furthermore the fact that almost one in five employees would be expected to return to work without any assistance shows that employers need to consider their responsibility to employees' health and wellbeing.

"Given that employee absence directly cost the UK economy £17bn in 2010, employers who develop a robust rehabilitation strategy would most likely see benefits for the business as a whole and minimise their own losses," he added.