The vast majority of employers are intending to embrace two key Government initiatives in the battle to combat sickness absence, Jelf Employee Benefits has said.
The Sickness Absence Review in 2011 included two concepts to tackle workplace sickness absence: The Health and Work Service (HWS): an independent assessment of any employee who is absent from work for four weeks or more and a tax break of up to £500 for employers funding treatments recommended by the HWS (or other Occupational Health arrangement)
Jelf's research found only 7% of employers do not intend to make referrals to either the new HWS, or an existing Occupational Health arrangement. A further 15% of respondents are currently undecided.
Steve Herbert, head of benefits strategy for Jelf Employee Benefits commented: "This is hugely important.
"If UK employers are to effectively make any progress in tackling sickness absence it's key that all employees who are absent for any significant period of time are assessed at an early stage.
"In the absence of any mandated trigger to achieve this, it's important that employers voluntarily take advantage of either the HWS or a company-specific Occupational Health scheme."
Turning to the tax break, the research found that only 8% of employers would not be encouraged to fund medical interventions to speed the return to work of an employee.
51% believed their organisation would provide funding up to the new £500 tax break for medical interventions, and 8% expected their organisation to fund beyond the £500 limit.
A further 33% of employers already have robust cover for such treatments in place via corporate healthcare polices.
