Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
A new body which aims to get the long-term sick back to work more quickly in England, Wales and Scotland is being set up by the government.
From April, staff absent for over four weeks can be referred for assessments with the Health and Work Service.
The non-compulsory assessments will include medical advice and retraining.
Ministers are hoping companies will save ?70m a year in reduced sickness pay and related costs.
Staff who are off work for more than four weeks are considered to be long-term sick and entitled to Statutory Sick Pay of almost ?90 per week from their employers.
That will not change under the new arrangements - but the government wants the privately-run Health and Work Service to help reduce the numbers on long-term sick leave.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26105246
From April, staff absent for over four weeks can be referred for assessments with the Health and Work Service.
The non-compulsory assessments will include medical advice and retraining.
Ministers are hoping companies will save ?70m a year in reduced sickness pay and related costs.
Staff who are off work for more than four weeks are considered to be long-term sick and entitled to Statutory Sick Pay of almost ?90 per week from their employers.
That will not change under the new arrangements - but the government wants the privately-run Health and Work Service to help reduce the numbers on long-term sick leave.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26105246