The Government has set up a consultation on ways to reduce UK job losses related to ill health. This follows on from the announcement in June that new efforts would be made to tackle injustices toward disabled people, review statutory sick pay, provide greater workplace support and establish a cross-Government disability team.
The aim is to find ways to encourage employers to act early to support employees with long-term health conditions. At present, under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments in the workplace if an employee who meets the legal definition of disability is significantly disadvantaged. The new proposals would also allow any non-disabled employee to request such changes, although in these circumstances the employer could refuse on business grounds.
Where Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is concerned the proposals would allow an employee to return to work after a sickness absence on a flexible and phased basis whilst still receiving some SSP. Furthermore, employees who presently are ineligible for SSP because they don’t earn enough would receive a proportion of their wage. Employers who fail to pay due SSP could face increased fines and a new body is proposed to enforce these.
Finally, views are sought on reducing the costs and improving the value of Occupational Health services, whilst increasing their use by employers.
The consultation will end on 7th October.
