(Minister of State for
Disabled People, Health and Work): I would like to
make the following statement on behalf of myself and Price MP, the Parliamentary
Under Secretary of State for Mental Health, Inequalities and
Suicide Prevention in the Department for Health and Social Care.
Today, my department, in partnership with the Department of
Health and Social Care, will publish a consultation on proposals
to reduce health-related job loss.
As people live and work for longer, more employees are disabled
or have long term health conditions. There are significant and
well evidenced benefits for employers, individuals and government
if health related job-loss can be reduced.
For employers, offering flexibility, early support and
occupational health advice are the key to successful retention.
Employers are best placed to take the early preventative measures
that are most effective. There are large variations in employers’
capability and capacity to act with large firms five times more
likely to provide occupational health when compared to small
firms.
Each year more than 100,000 people leave their job following a
period of sickness absence lasting at least four weeks. Survey
evidence shows that 44% of people who had been off sick for a
year then left employment altogether.
The proposals set out in this consultation include:
- Amending the legal framework to encourage workplace
modifications and early action to support individuals on sickness
absence leave;
- Reforming Statutory Sick Pay so that it is better enforced,
more flexible and covers the lowest paid and potentially, rewards
effective action with a new rebate;
- Improving access to occupational health services with
additional support for small employers including a potential
subsidy;
- Government to provide best practice advice and support for
employers on managing health and disability in the workplace.
The evidence and views gathered during this consultation will be
used to develop our proposals further and understand the impact
of the changes on both employers and employees.
