Sypol welcomes new Government focus

Sypol welcomes the Government's move to promote the positive links between good health and productivity in the work place.

Ill health costs the UK economy £100 billion every year and as one of the key organisations piloting the inclusion of health at work in the 'Investors in People Standard'¹, Sypol recognises the importance of creating a society where the positive links between work and health are recognised by all.

The Government's proposed action comes in light of Dame Carole Black's review of the health of Britain's working age population and aims to reduce the 172 million work days that were lost due to absence last year (CBI).

Karen Baxter, Sypol's Managing Director comments: "It's important that businesses recognise the impact that ill health can have on their bottom line and think through their approach to preventing work-related ill health. The causes are varied, from noise, to stress; from hazardous substances to communications; from manual handling to vibrating tools."

Under the Government's new strategy and in a move to help reduce the 2.6 million people that live on incapacity benefit, an electronic 'fit note' will replace current medical certificates to help GP's switch the focus of their advice to what work people can do rather than what they cannot.

The introduction of the electronic 'fit note' will also give employers more information about the steps that they can take to help someone return to work after a period of sickness.

Karen Baxter continues: "By implementing and maintaining some basic healthcare and workplace management, businesses can help most people with common health conditions return to work."

The support the Government is putting in place will help individuals, employers and healthcare professionals work together towards creating a workforce that is healthy and productive.

Details of the report and the Government's response can be found here: Improving Health and Work: Changing Lives

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