Workplace sickness
Long-term absence increasing as 'Fit Note' fails
The government's work and wellbeing agenda is ‘under major threat' as the ‘Fit Note' is failing to deliver on getting people back to work while long-term absence rates have increased; a study has warned.
Dead staff still entitled to holiday pay
Employees who have died with outstanding holiday allowance should be paid this after their death, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) rules.
Women most worried about impact of illness on career prospects
Six out of ten women return to work early from sickness or injury because they are worried it might impact on their job prospects research finds.
Employee counselling cuts inability to cope by 90% - Capita
Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) can play a powerful role in helping employees cope with stress, improving the ability to work and supporting relationships with management, according to Capita Health and Wellbeing.
Consider attendance policies before World Cup - AXA PPP
AXA PPP has released tips to reduce absenteeism during the World Cup alongside research highlighting effects on productivity due to late nights.
The top five flexible benefits for engagement
Here they are… The five flexible benefits with the best staff engagement rates, according to a whitepaper published by Benefex.
CBI makes case for government and business to invest in employee health
There are clear business benefits to supporting employee health and wellbeing, says a Confederation of British Industry (CBI)report has concluded.
Open plan offices are a health and productivity risk - Canada Life
Despite being the most common working environment, open plan offices may actually be detrimental to employee health, wellbeing and productivity, according to recent Canada Life Group Insurance research.
Employers should be more 'carer-friendly'
Businesses should, as far as is reasonable, make adjustments to support employees who are caring for disabled family members, the Equality and Humans Rights Commission (EHRC) will tell the Court of Appeal today.
Staff loyal to employers with good workplace benefits
Almost three-quarters of employees would remain at their current employer if they were offered a good benefits package, research reveals.
Workplace flexibility would keep nearly half disabled in work
Nearly half of 700 disabled respondents to a Scope survey said flexible working time and practices could have helped them stay in work
DWP slashes number of employees HWS will assist by a third
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has cut the number of employees its new Health and Work Service (HWS) will be able to support back to work by more than a third.
End of Percentage Threshold Scheme will burden SMEs - Canada Life
An upcoming change in business law may result in UK firms struggling to contain sickness costs, Canada Life Group Insurance has said.
Atos to exit fit-to-work tests
Atos Healthcare has announced that it has reached an agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions to allow it to exit from the Work Capability Assessment contract early.
New occupational healthcare launch promises speed
A new occupational healthcare company, Work Doctors, aims to make it easier to access occupational healthcare and traditional family medicine for major UK businesses.
UK absence rates show improvement as firms embrace absence management
More than a third (34%) of firms have seen absence rates improve over the last 12 months, echoing recent ONS Labour Market statistics showing sick days down by 47 million since 1993.
VSP Vision Care expands into UK employee benefits
American firm VSP Global has announced an expansion into the UK employee benefits market through its VSP Vision Care brand.
Employees endorse DoH on health and wellbeing - Westfield research
Most workers in the UK believe staff health and wellbeing should be shared between both employer and employee, according to new research.
Health and Work Service providers will not be paid on return to work success
Providers running the national Health and Work Service (HWS) will not be incentivised to return people to work.
Employers will embrace Sickness Absence Review - Jelf
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.
Employers would 'almost be crazy' to ignore HWS
The only way the government's new Health and Work Service (HWS) can work effectively is if "people are forced" to take part, says Jelf Employee Benefits head of benefits strategy Steve Herbert.
MPs to debate welfare reform
MPs are expected to take part debate on a motion relating to the effects of welfare reform on sick and disabled people.
HWS a 'selling opportunity' but may lead to 'two tier' occupational health
In order to fund the new Health and Work Service, the government will no longer offer compensation to employers that experience high levels of sickness absence.
SMEs suffer from staff illness and absence
Nearly one in five (17%) small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) suffered significant disruption from staff illness and absence in the past year, according to findings from Metlife.
