Low take-up of Fit for Work

23 December 2015

We have previously reported on the introduction and roll-out of the government’s Fit for Work service but a new report, undertaken by Jelf Employee Benefits, shows that just 3% of employers in England and Wales have referred workers to the Fit for Work service.

Organisations have been able to refer staff who have been, or are likely to be, off sick for four weeks or more, since September. However, just nine of the 281 employers interviewed said they had made use of the scheme.

The service is designed to reduce long-term sickness absence. Yet, more than two-thirds of employers reported that they had not received any official communications about it.

Steve Herbert, Head of Benefits Strategy at Jelf, said: “Our findings suggest that currently most employers are largely unaware of the launch of this initiative.”

A similar service has been rolled out north of the border, called Fit for Work Scotland.

You can find more information about how the Fit for Work service might help you on the Fit for Work website