Early intervention on employee absence can markedly increased return to work rates, according to Legal & General.
New statistics from the provider found that two thirds (67%) of claimants on its group income protection (GIP) policy returned to work within six months if their absence was noted in the first six weeks.
This figure fell to half (49%) of those who notified the insurer after that point.
L&G said the figures highlight the importance of early notification and reinforce the idea that six weeks is a tipping point in helping people get back to work.
As a result it has paid back over £1m to companies as a reward for notifying absences early since 2005.
It also revealed that in 2009, 54% of individuals returned to work within the first six months, an improvement on the 50% figure from 2008.
Employees absent because of stress are offered cognitive behavioural therapy and this resulted in three-quarters (76%) of such employees returning to work within 18 months of diagnosis.
Diane Buckley, managing director of group income protection at Legal & General, said: "These statistics are very encouraging and show that early intervention can very much enable individuals to receive the assistance, treatment, and support necessary to re-enter employment without massive cost to their employer, or to the taxpayer."
