Reducing ill health-related job loss in Manchester

An opportunity to feed in your views on a public consultation with the DWP and DHSC on measures to reduce ill health-related job loss

Despite record rates of employment, the gap between those who are non-disabled/enjoying good health and those who are disabled/suffering long-term health conditions is significant. Around 300,000 people with a long-term mental health condition fall out of work every year, and disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to drop out of work.

‘It is estimated that 150,000 Greater Manchester residents are out of work due to their health – making up almost 2/3 of unemployed adults in the city region. For people aged 50 to 64 in particular, ill-health is the main barrier to work.’
Working Well Early Help

Health is everyone’s business is a consultation, seeking views on the different ways employers can take action to reduce ill health-related job loss with the support of the Government.

The consultation focuses on four main areas:

Amending the legal framework to encourage early action to support individuals when they are absent from work and to facilitate more conversations to agree on effective workplace modifications;
Reforming of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) so that it is better enforced, more flexible, and supports the lowest-paid employees;
Measures to improve the availability of occupational health (OH) services for employers that are of high-quality and cost-effective
Improving advice and support from the Government for employers to understand and act on their responsibilities.

The Government is committed to consulting and working with all devolved administrations. As such, the Department for Work & Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care will hold two interactive discussions sessions in Manchester on:

Thursday 29 August
KPMG Manchester,
1, St. Peter’s Square,
Manchester M2 3AE

Many employers already see the case to invest in health and well-being. However, some, particularly smaller ones, might not have the knowledge or time to support their employees with health conditions, even when they want to. Attending a session will deepen your understanding of Government’s role in this agenda and provide you with the opportunity to discuss potential changes with other business professionals and policy officials in our region.

‘Being able to work is vitally important to the health, wealth and wellbeing of our residents, and to our city-region as a whole. It is a tragedy that people who fall out of employment because of their health can soon end up more likely to die or retire than ever get back to work.’
Sarah Price, executive lead for population health in Greater Manchester

SECURE YOUR PLACE

In addition to face-to-face events, there will be the opportunity to hear more about the consultation via a webinar.