Fit for Work: the undeniable truth

clock • 5 min read

Why did Fit for Work really fail? What now for SME's? And how can intermediaries help? By Carl Laidler, director of screening programmes at Health Shield Wellbeing gives his view.

The government's recently abandoned Fit for Work (FFW) referral service, although well intentioned, had arguably had its day before it'd even got started. That's the real issue.   The need amongst small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) was — and still is — very much apparent, as they simply don't have the internal resource to deal with long-term sickness absence. But the launch of FFW, just three years ago, failed to take in the employer evolution that was very much underway at the time: namely a shift from reactive management of sickness absence to a more proactive effort around em...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Employee Benefits

Poor mental health cost UK economy £102b in 2023: AXA UK

Poor mental health cost UK economy £102b in 2023: AXA UK

£26b lost from workers taking sick days

Jaskeet Briah
clock 19 March 2024 • 2 min read
20% of employees rated workplace mental health services 'poor'

20% of employees rated workplace mental health services 'poor'

Third of UK workers have a ‘high’ mental health risk

Jaskeet Briah
clock 19 March 2024 • 3 min read
Healix launches skin cancer checks for employees

Healix launches skin cancer checks for employees

Dermatological assessments and referrals

Jaskeet Briah
clock 05 March 2024 • 2 min read