CBI responds to government consultations on occupational health to reduce barriers that hold firms back
The challenge
At a time when labour shortages mean that 38% of businesses have turned down opportunities to grow and over 600,000 people who want a job are long-term sick, there's a compelling case for business and government to work together to improve the health of the UK workforce.
By reducing the barriers that hold firms back, government can convert increased interest in health and wellbeing into practical action that reduces sickness absence and drives sustainable growth.
The opportunity
Employers can drive have a demonstrable impact on health and economic outcomes. They could help reduce 10-20% of the disease burden in the 20-64 age group. And our research has shown that business-led interventions could lead to a reduction in sickness absences by 30% per year, amounting to around one fewer day per worker per year.
Recent CBI research found that 50% of SMEs and 64% of non-SMEs stated health and wellbeing as one
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