DWP consultation engagement events – ‘Health is everyone's business’

20 August 2019

The Department for Work and Pensions is running consultation engagement events around the country to discuss the consultation ‘Health is everyone’s business’.

 

Each year more than 100,000 people leave their job following a period of sickness absence lasting at least four weeks.

 

Offering flexibility, early support and occupational health advice are the keys to successful retention in the workplace.

 

The government know that many employers already see the case to invest in health and wellbeing. But some, particularly smaller employers, might not have the knowledge or time to support their employees with health conditions, even when they want to.

 

The Government’s consultation seeks to address these challenges and is focussed on four main areas:

 

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

Your views will be invaluable in helping the government to understand the implications of any reforms and how any potential changes can be best implemented in the future. This will be vital in ensuring government provides employers and employees with the most effective support going forward.   
 
The event has been designed to: 

  • Deepen your understanding of Government’s role in this agenda
  • Give you the chance to discuss the potential changes with other businesses in your area

You can join officials from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care at one of the events below, for an interactive discussion on the consultation. Please register your details if you would like to attend.
 
London
Royal College of Occupational Therapists
12/9/19
08:30- 10:30
Register here

Sheffield
University of Sheffield
5/9/19
08:30 – 12:00
Register here
 
Pontypridd
University of South Wales
3/9/19
08:30 – 10:30
Register here
 
Edinburgh
Victoria Quay
20/09/19
08:30 – 10:30
11:30 – 13:30
Register here 
 

 

CIPP comment

The CIPP Policy team has produced a survey to gather your views about the proposals to adapt the SSP scheme to allow for phased return together will partial payment of SSP and pay during that period. Please take a few minutes to help inform our response.

 

 


More news