The cost of workplace sickness and absence is high.  The 2007 CIPD Absence Management Survey highlighted that sickness absence accounts for 8.4% of working time – equivalent to 8 working days for each employee each year.  The average cost of sickness absence is £659 per employee per year, with absence being one of HR professionals’ top three concerns.  This survey reveals that HR professionals regard occupational health involvement as the most effective method of managing long-term absence.

What are the benefits to your organisation?

Sickness absence management is of key importance in every organisation as the impact of absence on both profitability and the success of the business is great.  The benefits of WorkFit occupational health professionals supporting sickness absence management include:-

Cost savings by reduction in short and long term absences

Improved staff morale

Legal compliance

Increased productivity

Increased profits

How can WorkFit support you in managing sickness absence?

Policy and Procedure Development - The first step to managing absence effectively is to ensure that you have clear policies and procedures in place that support your organisation’s business objectives and culture.

Line Management Training - Line Managers have an essential role to play, either directly or indirectly, in the interventions to reduce absence levels.  WorkFit can provide you with line management training in areas such as conducting a return to work interview, the role of occupational health services and stress management.

Provision of Professional Occupational Health Advice - Our occupational health professionals play a major role in evaluating the reason for absence, carrying out health assessments and supporting HR professionals and managers in effectively managing absence.  Our services include:

• Management referrals
• Early intervention limiting the possibility of any absence becoming long term
• Telephone and face to face consultations
• Medical assessments
• Clear and concise management reports
• Rehabilitation programmes to support return to work
• Ongoing occupational health advice and support
• Fast track physiotherapy referral and vocational rehabilitation programmes in conjunction with our associated companies.