Addressing media at the launch of its final report yesterday (18 September), the commission warned that as many as 4.3 million people could be missing from the workforce by the end of this parliament in 2029, a 53% increase on current figures.
Setting out a vision of a ‘health creation’ system in government that would add 10 years to healthy life expectancy, the commission recommended a raft of policy changes, including taxing tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy foods to subsidise high-quality food, increase investment in public amenities like swimming pools and parks, and the creation of local health centres.
Read more: Employers concerned about long-term illness
The commission likewise backed the creation of a UK-wide 'fair work agreement', in the model of Scotland’s voluntary Fair Work Convention, in which government, business and unions work together to improve working standards.
Key among the proposals to support people back into work was a ‘right to try’ for people on health or disability benefits. The commission recommended that people in receipt of benefits be given the opportunity to try to return to work, without the fear of sanction or support being withdrawn.
The report noted that there was an “under-supply of appropriate work” for people with long-term conditions: people who have been off sick for a long time may need to experiment to understand their capabilities, and what their needs will be in the workplace.
“Increased employer flexibility and improved managerial competency will be critical to reducing the disability employment gap,” it said.
Specifically mentioning criteria such as sick pay at 80% of earnings, default flexible working allowances and self-rostering, as well as payment of the real living wage, the commission emphasised employers’ responsibility to the nation’s wellbeing, and thus its productivity, too.
Chris Thomas, head of the commission and principle research fellow at the IPPR, told HR magazine: "Employers have huge amounts to gain from better health: fewer vacancies, easier recruitment, more productivity and better profits.
“But they also have a role to play. Our employers have huge influence on our health. Sometimes, for those of us in good jobs, our work makes us healthier. But too often in Britain today, bad jobs harm our physical and mental health.
“That's why we think a new set of healthy work standards, supported by both incentive and regulation, is common sense."
Read more: How can HR prevent long-term sickness at work?
James Bethell, former health minister and commissioner, added: “It's time to think differently. There is no more exciting vision for the future of Britain than in the reform agenda put forward by this report.
“It's time for a new health policy where we all play our part: businesses, employers, investors, individuals, communities and families alike."
Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO of UK EAP and wellbeing provider Health Assured, told HR magazine that the company backed the IPPR commission’s proposals, highlighting in particular employers’ role in preventing damage to their employees’ mental health.
“A healthy population is good for business and preventing long-term sickness is key to individual wellbeing, organisational growth, and the economic wellbeing of the country,” he said.
“Mental illness accounts for 50% of all sick leave cases at an estimated cost to UK businesses of around £56 billion a year. At the individual level, 88% of UK employees have experienced burnout in their careers. This creates a work culture that perpetuates absenteeism, affects productivity, and leads to an economy where 17.1 million working days are lost anxiety, stress, and depression.
“Offering free and easily accessible mental health support means organisations are likely to see an improvement in business success and growth, and a reduction in negative consequences associated with long-term sickness.”
