Sustainable Return to Work: Policies, Practices, and Accommodations
AbstractSupporting people to return to work and stay in work has never been more important. The number of people who are not participating in work due to ill health has risen since the pandemic, with consequences for individuals, organizations, and society. Several contributing factors have been identified…
Fixing sick Britain
IOSH’s report tackles Britain’s workplace health crisis head-on. Work-related illness affects 1.7 million UK workers. It costs employers £150 billion every year.IOSH brought together leading occupational health experts and organisations to create a clear, practical plan to transform workplace health.…
Supporting workers with long covid
Long COVID is a complex syndrome that affects many people previously infected with COVID-19. It has major implications for the workforce, contributing to sickness absence, impaired productivity and job loss. Karina Nielsen and Jo Yarker explain how a framework that combines support from managers, occupational…
The business case for investing in health and wellbeing
Taking an integrated approach to mental health and wellbeing brings gains to health, performance and retention. We provide a summary of the latest research and share cost calculations you can use to estimate the overall cost of poor mental health in your organisation. Our review shows that investing…
Using intervention mapping to develop evidence-based toolkits that support workers on long-term sick leave and their managers
BackgroundManaging long-term sickness absence is challenging in countries where employers and managers have the main responsibility to provide return to work support, particularly for workers with poor mental health. Whilst long-term sick leave and return to work frameworks and guidance exist for employers,…
“What can I do for you? Line managers’ behaviours to support return to work for workers with common mental disorders”
Sustainable return to work remains challenging for workers returning after long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs): stress, anxiety and depression. Line managers play a significant role in supporting returned workers. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine…
Long COVID and Return to Work – What Works? A position paper from the Society of Occupational Medicine
This paper provides guidance on the identification and management of Long COVID – particularly regarding return to work. This guidance has been produced by members of The Society of Occupational Medicine Long COVID Group, of which our Managing Partner Jo Yarker is a member, and other work and health…
Managing And Supporting Employees With Long-Term Health Conditions: Guide For People Professionals
Over 15 million people live with a long-term health condition in the UK1 and in 2019/20, there were 32.5 million estimated working days lost due to work-related ill health2. Having good management practices gives employee the best chance of staying in work and fulfilling their potential.This guide introduces…
Protocol For A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Study Of A Multicomponent Intervention To Promote A Sustainable Return-To-Work Of Workers On Long Term Sick Leave
The cost of sickness absence has major social, psychological, and financial implications for individuals and organisations. Return-to-work (RTW) interventions that support good quality communication and contact with the workplace can reduce the length of sickness absence by between 15 to 30 days. However,…
Managing A Return To Work Following Long Term Sickness Absence: Guide For People Professionals
Research shows that employees are more likely to return to work safely and productively following long-term sickness absence if they are well supported during their absence and on their return.The key considerations for managing an effective return, including for those suffering from long COVID, are…