With workplace injury and ill-health costing £38m daily, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called for a focus on rehabilitation.
They have targeted three areas ' a shift from focusing on damages to getting claimants back to health; encouraging the Government to co-ordinate and promote rehabilitation services; and making a solid business case for rehabilitation.
Delays in treatment, lack of resources and a disjointed approach mean the UK lags behind other nations in support given to sick workers.
John Parker, head of general insurance for the ABI, said: 'Every year 27,000 workers leave the workplace due to illness caused by work, never to return. This is a waste of human resources and must be reduced.'
He added: 'Insurers have done much to embrace rehabilitation, but, in this complex area, more needs to be done by all interested stakeholders. The results of a recently-completed ABI/TUC consultation exercise show a consensus for change which must be built on to bring about improvements which workers and businesses need.'
The ABI plans to begin research attempting to provide employers, unions, and insurers with an objective cost/benefit analysis for having rehabilitation programmes.
Brendan Barber, general secretary elect of the TUC, said: 'Working in partnership, we can use the legal and insurance systems to offer a fast track back into work, not a slow exit from the workforce. Unions want the Government to lead on this issue ' decisively and coherently ' and we will play our part with employers and insurers.'
