An initiative to support employees keeping healthy in work has received backing by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
They will work in partnership with the government, as part of a three year scheme, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield.
It focuses on prevention and early support to help more people stay in employment, as well as boosting disability inclusion in the UK.
‘Britain is sliding into an avoidable crisis’
Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the Keep Britain Working Review, said: “Britain is sliding into an avoidable crisis. Ill-health has become one of the biggest brakes on growth and opportunity. But this is not inevitable.
“Employers are uniquely placed to make a difference, preventing health issues where possible, supporting people when they arise, and helping them return to work. If we keep Britain working, everyone wins – people, employers, and the state.
“That’s why the action the Government is taking forward from my Review is so important. I’m looking forward to working with them and with employers, large and small, to keep people in work, unlock potential and build a healthier, more prosperous Britain.”
The review sets out the reality facing the UK. It states that employers lose £85 billion a year from sickness, turnover, and lost productivity.
The cost of ill-health that prevents work equals 7% of GDP, nearly 70% of all income-tax receipts.
One in five working age adults are now out of the labour force, meaning 800,000 more than in 2019 due to health reasons.
The report warns that without any change, another 600,000 people could leave the workforce by 2030.
Mayor backs initiative
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “In South Yorkshire we’re building the UK’s first Prevention Economy, shifting the focus from fixing problems after they happen, to preventing them in the first place.
“We’re encouraging business to invest in the health and wellbeing of people who work for them and working with partners, such as Westfield Health, on our new £7m partnership to create the Sport Legacy Institute.
“I’m delighted that South Yorkshire is one of the areas selected by the government to provide new solutions to help people thrive in employment.”
With the percentage of disabled people who are economically inactive in South Yorkshire being higher than the national average, the need for urgent reform is stark.
In response to this, SYMCA, British Airways, Google, Sainsbury’s, Holland and Barrett, and SMEs are amongst the names of those who will develop workplace health approaches over the next three years to build evidence for what works.
The initiative aims to reduce sickness absence, improve return-to-work rates, and increase disability employment rates, which government will work towards developing into a voluntary certified standard by 2029.
It builds on the work the Government is doing to give businesses the skilled workforce they need by investing £1 billion annually in disability employment support by the end of the decade.
By helping people stay healthy in work, they hope the reforms will reduce pressure on the NHS, create better paid jobs and boost economic growth.
Sir Charlie Mayfield will co-lead a Vanguard Taskforce with Ministers, bringing together employers, disabled people, workers’ representatives, and health experts.
The Taskforce will work with Vanguards to develop the interventions and build the evidence for what works.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Business is our partner in building a productive workforce – because when businesses retain talent and reduce workplace ill-health, everyone wins.
“That’s why we’re acting now to launch employer-led Vanguards as part of the Plan for Change, driving economic growth and opportunity across the country.”