Action for healthier working lives

Record numbers of working-age people in the UK are experiencing ill health, especially musculoskeletal and mental health problems, that limits the type or amount of work they can do. This has a significant impact on both individuals and employers, but the government has the opportunity to set a fresh direction. 

The independent Commission for Healthier Working Lives was established by the Health Foundation to build a consensus for the action needed by government and employers to meet our working-age health challenge. 

The Commission’s final report sets out the need for a new approach to work and health, outlining seven key recommendations to lay the foundation for sustained long-term change. It details the current work and health challenge, including the barriers to action for employers and issues with the existing social security system. It also looks at past and present UK labour market policies and international success stories before setting out recommendations to build a more coordinated and effective workplace support and benefits system. These include reforming statutory sick pay rates, a new ‘vocational rehabilitation benefit’ to help people stay in work when statutory sick pay ends and a caseworker-led service to give people the right support at the right time – starting while still employed.

Given the challenges identified, success will require commitment to a positive long-term vision focused on protecting people’s health and employment. The recommendations proposed show what needs to change to build healthier working lives in the UK. With an ageing population and rising mental health challenges in the younger population, the time to act is now.