The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a taskforce to improve occupational health provision.
Health policy advisor Dame Carol Black will lead the taskforce, which will produce a voluntary occupational health framework for businesses that includes setting out minimum levels of occupational health needed to stop sickness-related job losses, and better support those returning to work after ill-health.
It will also aim to improve access and take up of occupational health through increasing information and visibility for employers on the benefits of quality provision in retaining employees in the workplace, empowering employers to play an active role in improving employee health, removing barriers by focusing on organisations with restricted finances, and complementing other existing health and disability workplace initiatives where occupational health is required in law.
The framework, which is expected this summer, will form part of the government’s drive to tackle in-work sicknesses, and reduce inactivity levels and waiting list times.
Dame Carol Black, the government’s occupational health tsar, said: “It is a privilege to chair the new taskforce which will review occupational health services available to employees across businesses of all shapes and sizes and then create a framework to support better employee health and wellbeing. We will encourage employers to embrace practices that prevent or reduce ill-health related job loss.
“We know the impact high sickness absence and presenteeism has on businesses and their productivity, which is why I am so pleased to work with other members of the taskforce to ensure occupational health support is in place for employees and employers alike.”
Jo Churchill MP, minister for employment, added: “Millions of working days are lost each year through sickness. We are helping businesses tackle this challenge head on so we can help boost productivity and grow our economy. The work of Dame Carol and her expert taskforce will be crucial as we drive down absenteeism, which we know is holding back British businesses and really focus on making occupational health support available to all.”