#sickness

22 07 2024

Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary sets out details of Back to Work Plan | Consensus HR in Herts, Beds.

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Employment Law, General, Performance Management, Recruitment @sg1businessclub, #backtowork, #backtoworkplan, #bedfordshirebusinesses, #consensus hr, #consensushr, #hertfordshirebusinesses, #networkinbeds, #returntowork, #sickness, Business, Business Owners, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

The UK government recently unveiled details of its “Back to Work Plan” aimed at reducing long-term unemployment and supporting those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. The plan, announced by the Work and Pensions Secretary, includes several key initiatives to help people get off benefits, stay healthy, and secure employment.

Key components of the plan include:

Enhanced Employment Support: The government is expanding programs like NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) to provide more comprehensive support for those seeking work (Recruiter) (Express.co.uk).
Reform of Work Capability Assessments: Changes are being made to the Work Capability Assessment process to better evaluate and support individuals with disabilities or health conditions. This aims to ensure more accurate assessments of individuals’ abilities to work and to provide appropriate support (RNIB).
Intensive Job Coaching and Training: Unemployed claimants will receive regular support from work coaches. If they remain unemployed, they will be referred to the Restart scheme, which offers 12 months of intensive training. Persistent unemployment may lead to mandatory work placements or other activities designed to improve employability (RNIB).
Youth Employment Guarantee: The plan includes a guarantee for young people aged 18 to 21, providing opportunities for training, apprenticeships, or job placements (Express.co.uk).
Integration of Services: The plan aims to merge Jobcentre Plus and National Careers Services to create a more streamlined and effective support system for job seekers (Express.co.uk).

(Recruiter) (Express.co.uk).

Our HR comment:

Our HR Comment: – Labour to hold bad employers accountable, says TUC chief | Consensus HR in Herts & Beds

Matthew Chilcott, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “We have written a couple of blogs pre- and post-Election and many of the points raised in this article are what we have written about and highlights what we have always said at Consensus HR, businesses have nothing to worry about if they are working to best practice and the law and that is what we do with our clients.”

Here are our previous blogs on the subject:

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25 03 2024

Sick people leave workforce at record highs | Consensus HR | Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Absence Management, Blog, General, Health & Safety #ConsenHR, #consensushr, #outsourcedemploymentlaw, #outsourcedhumanresources, #outsourcing, #sickness, Business, Business Owners, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's

The number of people in the UK leaving the workforce due to long term sickness has hit the highest level on record, according to Resolution Foundation analysis. The number of adults who are economically inactive due to ill-health climbed from 2.1m in July 2019 to 2.8m in October 2023, marking the “longest sustained rise” since 1994-1998, when records began. The rise in long-term sickness means the UK is the only G7 economy which has not returned to its pre-pandemic employment rate. Louise Murphy, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, said Britain’s labour market is “finally returning to normal,” but warned that the pandemic “has left an alarming legacy of the longest sustained rise in sickness-related inactivity since the 1990s.”

She noted: “Younger and older people together account for nine-tenths of the rise in overall economic inactivity,” and warned that this could have “serious effects both on individuals’ living standards and career paths, as well as wider strains on the NHS and welfare spending if we fail to improve the nation’s health and reduce economic inactivity.” Shazia Ejaz at the Recruitment and Employment Federation, believes long NHS waiting lists “are a big factor for why not enough people are well enough to work,” adding “Better infrastructure around transport, childcare and social care will all help tackle the inactivity challenge the UK faces.”

BBC News

The Observer

Our HR Comment / Advice: Sick people leave workforce at record highs | Consensus HR | Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: – “This article which was shown on the BBC over the weekend demonstrates how difficult it still is for businesses within the UK, when dealing with sickness. The Pandemic may have officially finished but its repercussions as still dominant within the workforce. At Consensus HR, we work with our clients to ensure that the best HR Policies & Procedures are put in place to support the team and the business and that they are managed and implemented correctly. We are Partners with Breathe HR an IT system that makes it easy to manage correctly whilst ensuring the correct support and guidance is offered to the team member and management.

To view more about our range of HR & Employment Law Services

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Are you concerned about your team and sickness within your business?

If you run a business with a team and are concerned about the latest news / statistics in relation to sickness and wish to ensure you have the best HR Policies and Procedures for the benefit of the team and business, give us a Call Now. Consensus HR | Your Outsourced Human Resources & Employment Law Department. | Helping companies take the pain out of managing people whilst Preventing People Problems – 01438 576750

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12 02 2024

Britain has a bigger but sicker workforce than previously thought | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Absence Management, Blog, Employment Law, General #bedfordshirebusiness, #consensus hr, #consensushr, #hertfordshirebusinesses, #sickness, absence, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revised its estimates of the size and shape of the UK labour market showing that it has a bigger workforce, with employment up 170,000 compared to previous estimates.

However, the ONS has also highlighted that the number of people economically inactive due to long-term sickness has been revised up from its previous record high of 2.6 million to 2.8 million.

Independent think tank, the Resolution Foundation, explained that ONS’ reweighting of the labour force survey was to reflect the UK population growing faster than previously thought and it confirms that the labour market is bigger but weaker than previous estimates.

The ONS has also revised the shape of the UK population, with a slightly larger share of younger (aged 16–17 and 18–24) workers (up 0.2 and 0.1 percentage points respectively), and a smaller share of workers aged 25–34 and 50–64 (down 0.3 and 0.2 percentage points).

Hannah Slaughter, Senior Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Britain has a bigger, but sicker, workforce than we previously thought. Of particular concern is that the fact that a record 2.8 million people in the country are currently inactive due to ill-health. Tackling rising ill-health is a huge social and economic challenge that we’ll be facing throughout the 2020s, as will getting the UK employment back up to and beyond pre-pandemic levels.”

Our HR Comment / Advice: – Britain has a bigger but sicker workforce than previously thought | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: There are some very interesting statistics within this article and interesting how it differs dependent of age. Sickness within the team can cause severe consequences within any business and is why we always ensure a suitable, proactive sickness Policy & Procedure I introduced with management taking the necessary action as requested. All employees regardless of length of service or sickness should have a return-to-work meeting arranged, to discuss their absence and identify if there is any action the company / employee can take to support them, whilst ensuring it does not become a regular occurrence. Failure to manage sickness appropriately can result in a demotivated team and drop in sales and customer service.”

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What is your Employment Status?

Do you get concerned about the legalities / best practice when it comes to employing a member of the team and do not know which way to turn? We offer a non-obligatory option to discuss. Give us a call now. We are an Outsourced HR & Employment Law company who work with businesses that wish to provide the resources of an HR Department with unlimited telephone and emails provided for a monthly retained fee. Consensus HR | Your Outsourced HR & Employment Law Department – “Helping companies take the pain out of managing people whilst Preventing People Problems – 01438 576750”.

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13 11 2023

Online pharmacy accused of making it too easy to get sick notes | Consensus HR | Herts, Beds.

Matthew Chilcott General #bedfordshirebusinesses, #hertfordshirebusinesses, #HRAdvice, #outsourcedhumanresources, #sickness, absence, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Doctors have accused Pharmacy2U, Britain’s largest online pharmacy, of making it too easy to obtain sick notes. The company recently launched a service that allows customers to be signed off work by recording a 30-second video describing their symptoms. For a fee of £39, customers can upload the video and receive a sick letter on the same day if submitted before 9pm. The Times tested the service and successfully obtained a sick note for four days by feigning symptoms. Critics argue that the service lacks rigour and is open to abuse. Beverley Sunderland, managing director at Crossland Employment Solicitors, said: “I understand people have difficulties getting GP appointments, but they need to be speaking to someone who is asking questions and probing them about what kind of work they might be able to do. We are seeing an awful lot of people signed off sick at the moment and it is causing chaos for businesses.”

The Times

Our HR comment: – Online pharmacy accused of making it too easy to get sick notes | Consensus HR | Herts, Beds.

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “This article in the ‘The Times’ demonstrates what could be a managerial, business owner and HR nightmare in ensuring that sickness in the workplace is managed accordingly. At Consensus HR we know how hard it can be to obtain professional medical information from an employee’s GP or medical professional such as a Hospital Consultant but without this we and our clients cannot support members of the team at work with their health and welfare whilst ensuring the success of the business. Money making schemes such as these do not help either the employee or businesses as their real medical need or not is not addressed correctly and is open to abuse at the cost of the employee and the business they work for. Companies need to ensure that they always have a comprehensive sickness and absence strategy in place that ensures the welfare of all members of the team is managed correctly with return-to-work interviews, gaining consent to write to the employees doctor / GP for advice on how to support the employee and access to Occupational Health for support and advice for the company and employee when needed.”

To read our detailed advice on absence management click here.

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If you manage a team and would like support on writing and implementing a suitable Sickness & Absence Policy / Strategy into your business with any other areas of HR, give us a call now for a non-obligatory chat. – 01438 576750 Consensus HR | Helping companies take the pain out of managing people whilst preventing people problems.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

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27 09 2023

Therapy sessions start for long-term sick | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Blog, Employment Contracts, General, Health & Safety #hertfordshirebusinesses, #longermsick, #outsourcing, #sickness, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Therapists employed by the state will this week begin consultations with the long-term sick after ministers expressed frustration that the NHS is not doing enough to get people back work. Physiotherapists, mental health counsellors and stroke specialists hired by the Department for Work and Pensions will offer assessments to people claiming sickness benefits in an effort to reduce the number classed as unfit to work. Pilot sessions will begin in London and Birmingham, with the Government hoping to expand the scheme by hiring more therapists. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “Many of our claimants have complex health conditions, and this trial will explore whether they could benefit from support from medical professionals with specialist knowledge.”

The Times

Our HR comments: – Therapy sessions start for long-term sick | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “Following recent reports and statistics in relation to increases in long term sick, it is great to see this new scheme being piloted by the Government to offer assessments to people claiming sickness benefits. It will be great for businesses to be able to seek support and advice from specialists whilst the employees affected get the support they need to return to work. At Consensus HR, we regularly help companies and employees to return to the workplace but currently consists of us either writing to their GP or seeking support from an Occupational Health Provider. All of this is a lengthy process with a number of forms having to be completed and the consent from the employee requested to seek information. Hopefully, this new pilot will prove to be a success for both the member of the team and the companies involved.”

Here are a few of our previous blogs written on the subject of Long-Term Sickness:

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If you have members of the team who are currently on long term sick leave and you wish to look and the best suitable options to be able to support them back into the workplace, give us a call now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

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14 09 2023

New report warns of costly impact of illness on UK economy | Consensus HR- Herts, Beds

Matthew Chilcott Absence Management, Blog, Employment Law, General, Health & Safety @sg1, #Health&Safety, #illness, #outsourcing, #sickness, bedfordshire, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

The level of illness among the UK population is costing lives and harming the economy, according to a new report. An additional 491,433 people were off work due to their health in the three months to July, reaching a record high. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warns that the issue has become a “serious fiscal threat” to the UK. The think tank attributed the rise in illness to long NHS waiting lists and other barriers to accessing treatment. The IPPR report also highlighted the decline in the quality of healthcare in the UK compared to other European countries, and called for urgent reforms to improve healthcare services and save taxpayers up to £205bn over a decade. Lord Bethell, former health minister and commissioner, emphasized the need for action to reduce demand for healthcare through prevention. Downing Street has acknowledged the need for improvements in tackling long-term sickness and announced a £3.5bn package of measures to support people with disabilities or health conditions to enter the workforce. However, concerns have been raised that these reforms could force people into jobs when they are not well enough.

Sky News

Our HR comment: – New report warns of costly impact of illness on UK economy

Matthew P Chilcott, FCIPD, ACEL, Owner of Consensus HR comments: “This is a very worrying article on Sky News and we wrote about this a while ago when a similar article was published in the press. Long term sick is a problem for many companies and must be managed correctly with the use of medical professionals. This process can be very time consuming but employers need to ensure that they manage it properly for the benefit of the employee and the business along with healthy working practices helping to ensure that when the team are working, it is in a healthy environment. At Consensus HR, we have managed many ill health cases at work through the use of good practice and our Occupational Health providers to get workers back into work the best way for them and their health and the success of the business”

Contact us now

If you have long term sickness within your business and would like to talk to somebody about the best way to manage it to best practice and the law, give us a call now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:

15 02 2023

Doctors told to sign off fewer patients

Matthew Chilcott Absence Management, Blog, Employment Law, General, Health & Safety #GP, #outsourcedhumanresources, #sickness, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Consultants, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Matthew Pinto-Chilcott, Owner of Consensus HR comments: – “Admittedly it can be very difficult nowadays to get a GP Medical report as previously stated in order to get an employee back into the workplace, but is this the answer? currently when requesting a report, we must ensure there is a clause within an employee’s contract whilst also gaining their Consent under GDPR ensuring the member of the team is fully aware of their legal rights. They do not have to give consent if they do not wish but it must be emphasised to the member of the team that failure does not allow us to manage and support their health and could mean us having to make decisions with only what we know. My question would be what support they are able to offer the employee to return to work and what / if any further information would be needed from the company / HR as we currently provide a copy of their Job Description? This in principle is a very good idea but how it will be managed, should it be introduced we wait to see.”

NEWS ARTICLE: Doctors told to sign off fewer patients to get more people back into work

Doctors are to be told to sign fewer people off work with sick notes and instead help them to remain in employment under proposals being considered for next month’s Budget to reinvigorate the economy. A new approach to how doctors decide whether people are too sick to work is one idea under consideration as the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) examine how to reverse a marked increase in the number of people off work with long-term sickness in the wake of the pandemic, The Telegraph reports. Doctors are to be encouraged to focus on ways people with long-term illnesses can continue to work with support rather than signing sick notes that enable them to drop out of the labour market altogether. A government source said: “The mental health benefits of work are well established. We want to do all we can to encourage as many people as possible to stay in work with the relevant support in place to help them do so, including signposting them to that support at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The Daily Telegraph

The Human Times

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If you want to know more on how we can help your business with Human Resources and the importance of getting it right, contact us now.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

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Young workers' safety highlighted during National Apprentice Week

30 01 2023

Reporting accidents and illness at work

Matthew Chilcott Absence Management, General, Handbook, Health & Safety #employeesickness, #outsourcedhumanresources, #sickness, Business, Business Owners, hertfordshire, HR, HR Advice, HR Consultant, HR Support, outsourcedHR, Small Business, SME, SME's, stevenage

Matthew Pinto-Chilcott, Owner of Consensus HR comments: Reporting accidents and illness at work “Throughout my career this is one Health & Safety Form / process that I have not had to complete that often, but it is vital as an employer that you are fully aware the procedure and when to use and who to inform. RIDDOR, is the Reporting Injuries, Diseases, Dangerous, Occurrence Regulations 2013 and our current blog is from the Health & Safety Executive with some key useful information and tools for all employers and businesses to use as needed.”

Make sure you submit a RIDDOR report for a workplace accident or illness where necessary.

RIDDOR puts duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences.

Visit our website to find out:

Our publication Reporting accidents and incidents at work explains what is required from employers and provides information about RIDDOR.

HSE’s Accident Book can be used to record details of all work-related accidents including injuries that employers must report under RIDDOR.

YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

Full HR & H&S Support

Consensus HR realises that many UK based SMEs understand the importance of Human Resources (HR) and Health & Safety (H&S) but cannot justify the cost of a full time HR person / team within their business, whilst knowing that when running a business of any size (from one employee to 250) that there will be a time when they will have to deal with a range of HR and H&S issues and employee problems. Consensus HR can be your organisation’s HR department providing everything you would expect to find in a big company but in a more cost-effective way. We provide our clients access to unlimited HR advice and employment law which is accredited by leading professional bodies, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board.

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When it comes to Health & Safety there are many forms and procedures you must follow but what is RIDDOR? and when should you use it?

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