Work health

There is a growing drive to reduce current levels of sickness-related work absence and incapacity benefit claims.

These are most commonly caused by musculoskeletal conditions and disorders such as stress, many of which are exacerbated by staying off work.

Physiotherapists have a central role to play in helping people to return to work and to manage their own health going forward.

• Musculoskeletal conditions and common mental health problems are the major causes of absence from work and benefit claims due to ill health. Musculoskeletal conditions comprise about 55 per cent of all work-related illness. A further 30 per cent is caused by common mental health problems such as stress.⁽¹⁾ Both these types of condition benefit from physiotherapists' biopsychosocial approach to healthcare, which combines mental wellbeing with physical rehabilitation, encouraging a more relaxed or positive outlook to improve physical health outcomes.
• There are substantial levels of sickness-related absence across the UK. Sickness absence cost the UK an estimated £19.9 billion in 2007.⁽²⁾ The drive to tackle sickness absence aims not only to reduce pressure on public funding, but also to improve people's health, wellbeing and quality of life, and tackle poverty and social exclusion.⁽³⁾
• A growing body of evidence shows that on the whole, work is good for physical health, mental health and wellbeing, and that those in better health earn more and are more likely to be in work than those with poorer health.⁽⁴⁾ In 2009, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy joined other healthcare leaders in signing a consensus statement committing to promote the link between good health and 'good work' (defined as work that is healthy and safe, in which the individual has some influence over how tasks are carried out, and that provides a sense of self-worth).⁽³⁾
• There is a growing recognition that sickness absence is best tackled by services that are more proactive in promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing illness, and early intervention.⁽⁵⁾ Physiotherapists already follow this model, by working at every stage of the care system, from offering prevention advice to providing therapy and rehabilitation, and empowering individuals to maintain their own health going forward.
• The Dame Carol Black report 'Working for a Healthier Tomorrow' found that "early, regular and sensitive contact with employees during sickness absences can be a key factor in enabling an early return to work".⁽⁶⁾ It argues that comprehensive service reform should be combined with a cultural shift in workplaces across the economy. Employers should play a more proactive role to ensure that their staff receive early access to the help they need, while individuals should take more responsibility for managing their own health.
• As the UK's largest employer and a significant user of public funds, there has been a particular focus on promoting health within the NHS. The NHS workforce in England has above-average levels of sickness-related absence, at 10.7 days per year. Nearly half of this absence is due to musculoskeletal disorders, and more than a quarter to stress, depression and anxiety.⁽⁷⁾ In Wales, the figure is even higher, at around 14 days per year.⁽⁸⁾ The Government is keen to reduce these levels in order to improve staff health and quality of care and to enable the NHS to act as a role model for other employers.
• The UK government has committed to a new Fit for Work scheme – an integrated service enabling people who are not working due to ill health to be referred quickly to a range of services such as physiotherapy and psychological therapies, to help them back to appropriate work as quickly as possible. As part of the scheme, 10 pilot sites across England are trialling initiatives to help people who are off sick.
• Doctors are now completing the 'statement of fitness to work' which has recently replaced the sick note in England.