Sickness absence advice is issued for employers
Expert guidance to help employers manage long-term sickness absence has been issued by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice). *
The report recommends a series of measures employers can take to deal with sickness absence and incapacity.
The Nice guidance urges employers to engage with employees experiencing long-term sickness absence or recurring short episodes of absence, particularly those with musculoskeletal disorders or mental health problems, and if necessary arrange for more detailed assessments.
Professor Mike Kelly, Public Health Excellence Centre Director at Nice, said: “Long-term sickness absence and incapacity for work is a huge issue. It is currently estimated that 175 million working days are lost in Britain due to sickness absence each year and the associated cost is reaching £100 billion – greater than the annual budget for the National Health Service.
"This new guidance aims to help employers and employees work together to ensure that when someone is absent from work due to sickness, the right support is available as early as possible, so staff can return to work as soon as they are able."
Westfield Health recognises the importance of reducing workplace absence, so its range of corporate paid plans are designed to help employers tackle key issues, particularly sickness absence related to stress or musculoskeletal problems.
Westfield’s health cash plans provide money back towards the cost of healthcare treatments such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment and homeopathy, as well as everyday health bills such as dental and optical. **
Some of Westfield’s plans offer access to a GP telephone consultation service, enabling policyholders to speak to a fully qualified UK GP at a convenient time, from anywhere in the world.
A 24 hour counselling and advice line is also available on many of the plans, allowing policyholders to speak with a trained counsellor, lawyer or medical adviser at any time, in complete confidence. In addition, some corporate plans provide access to up to six face to face counselling sessions, so that policyholders can discuss issues in person.
* http://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/item/8646
** Up to set limits
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