Off sick? Phone your boss, back-to-work adviser says
Sir Charlie Mayfield urges workers to call their bosses when sick instead of just emailing, citing UK's 210 billion pound economic cost.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Sir Charlie Mayfield urges employees to phone their bosses when sick rather than just emailing.
- Health-related economic inactivity costs the UK around £210bn annually in benefits and lost output.
- Around 300,000 people leave work every year due to largely preventable health conditions.
- Reports call for a Workplace Health System alongside the NHS and better access to treatments.
People who need to take time off work due to illness should maintain direct telephone contact with their managers rather than relying solely on emails and doctor sicknotes, according to government-appointed back-to-work expert Sir Charlie Mayfield.
Speaking on the issue, Sir Charlie—who leads the Keep Britain Working taskforce—highlighted that health-related economic inactivity is imposing a massive financial burden on the UK economy, costing roughly £210bn a year in benefit payments and lost economic output.
During an interview on Wednesday, he noted that making a phone call is merely "one piece of the jigsaw." The report he authored calls for enhanced workplace support for individuals dealing with health conditions and disabilities, alongside the establishment of a dedicated Workplace Health System to operate alongside the NHS.
"One piece of the jigsaw."
Sir Charlie Mayfield
Sir Charlie explained that improving direct communication serves as a vital method to rehumanize the modern workplace. He warned that fear on both sides often creates distance and a lack of understanding, which makes long-term absences much more likely to result in workers dropping out of the labor force entirely.
Sir Charlie Mayfield's recommendations highlight a strategic shift toward proactive employee wellbeing management in the UK corporate sector. By emphasizing direct human communication and integrated workplace healthcare systems, policymakers aim to bridge the gap between clinical healthcare and corporate HR, mitigating the long-term economic drain caused by preventable early retirements and chronic absenteeism.
Furthermore, the report stresses that employers must take proactive steps by ensuring staff have access to critical early interventions, such as physiotherapy and talking therapies, while urging employees to actively engage with these support mechanisms.
Source: BBC Business
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