Employers Face £85bn Costs Linked to Ill-Health Crisis
A Keep Britain Working review warns that without a “fundamental shift” in how businesses handle ill health, up to 600,000 more people could leave the workforce due to sickness by 2030.
Key Findings from the Report
The report, led by former John Lewis chief Sir Charlie Mayfield, criticizes the current approach where tackling workplace ill health falls mainly on individuals and the NHS.
“The rising tide of ill health” in UK workplaces cannot be managed by individuals and health services alone.
It argues that sickness should become a shared responsibility between employers, employees, and health services.
Financial Impact on Businesses
Businesses currently face an estimated £85 billion annually in costs related to ill health.
Urgency for Change
Without leadership from employers to transform workplace health management, the workforce could shrink significantly by the end of the decade.
Author’s summary: The report highlights a looming workforce crisis driven by illness costs and calls for employers to share responsibility with health services to prevent mass workforce losses.