The latest data from the Health & Safety Executive demonstrates the huge economic cost of ill-health in the workplace amid soaring economic inactivity due to chronic illness and NHS waiting lists, and could force employers’ hands towards offering a greater provision of private healthcare options according to leading independent consultancy Broadstone.
 
The statistics reveal that 677,000 new cases of work-related ill health are reported every year and it is estimated by HSE that in 2021/22, new cases of work-related ill health cost Britain around £13.1 billion.
 
Of the 677,000 annual cases of work-related ill-health, 323,000 (48%) result in seven days absence or longer with an average of 17 days taken off work. These longer cases account for the lion’s share of social and economic costs – episodes of ill-health resulting in seven days or more off work account for nearly 97% of total costs despite representing just under half of incidences.
 
The average cost per case of ill-health stands at an average of £19,300 which rises to £39,400 for absences of seven or more days. Around 14,200 workers never return to the labour market as a result of their work-related ill-health.
 
It follows the Autumn Statement where Jeremy Hunt established an expert group to develop a new voluntary Occupational Health framework in Great Britain alongside embedding employment support within mental health and musculoskeletal health (MSK) services and introducing a programme to help people with long-term sickness into work.
 
Brett Hill, Head of Health & Protection at Broadstone, commented: “This release from the HSE contextualises the damaging economic and social cost of the country’s deteriorating health. It also emphasises the urgency with which employers need to act to protect their businesses from these costs.
 
“Initiatives like investing in workplace health infrastructure or expanding access to healthcare through digital GP services and health screening can keep employees fit and healthy.”
 
Please see the attached press release for full details and please get in touch if you have any questions.