By KLTV Newsdesk –

The Society of Occupational Medicine calls for proactive occupational health support.

With UK workplace sickness absence at record levels, the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) is calling on employers to take a fresh approach to managing employee health.

Experts stress that occupational health services are about far more than supporting staff once they fall ill—they can prevent absences before they occur.

The warning comes after research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) revealed that the average UK worker took 9.4 days of sick leave last year, up from 5.8 days in 2019 and 7.8 days just two years ago.

Rising Absences Prompt Investment in Workplace Health

In response to growing absence levels, many employers are investing in occupational health support, including access to OH professionals, digital GPs, virtual physiotherapy, online counselling, and health-related benefits.

The CIPD report shows that 69% of employers now provide occupational health services, up from around half a few years ago.

Access is particularly common in larger organisations, with 86% of businesses employing more than 250 staff offering OH support.

Despite this progress, only a minority of employers are using occupational health services proactively: just 31% involve OH professionals to prevent illness, and only 29% use their expertise to develop a comprehensive health and wellbeing strategy.

Early Intervention Can Keep Employees at Work

SOM warns that many employees are only referred to occupational health weeks after going off sick, often while waiting for NHS treatment.

Early intervention, they say, can help staff stay in work or return more quickly with appropriate support.

Professor Neil Greenberg, SOM President, said: “Too often employees have to be absent for a defined period – often many weeks – before even being referred to occupational health.

“That is a missed opportunity. Waiting weeks before making a referral often means that employees’ health problems are more complex and difficult to manage when they see an occupational health professional.

“This can lead to undesirable outcomes such as being forced out of work and or an early, medical retirement, much more likely.”

He added: “The government is desperate to reduce the number of people falling out of the workplace because of ill health, which is bad for the economy and adds to our rising welfare benefits bill.

“Most of all, it is damaging for individuals themselves, no longer being productive, independent or able to support themselves or their families.

“If employees with developing health problems can be seen by occupational health (OH) professionals, experts in work and health, before they go off sick, everyone wins.

“A key way to do this is for OH teams to become strategic partners – their organisation’s health right-hand, as it were – proactively managing and preventing risk

“OH professionals should also work with, advise and guide organisations at the board and executive level.

“Between the Mayfield review, the government’s ambitious NHS reform agenda, and the need to kickstart economic growth in this country, a reimagining of workplace health is needed. UK plc cannot go on as the ‘sick man of Europe’.

“Embracing the health and work expertise of occupational health professionals can be the transformational step-change we need.”

Occupational Health: An Investment in Productivity

Occupational health professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health staff, help maintain employee wellbeing, manage mental health and musculoskeletal problems, and keep people in work.

Research shows that every £1 spent on OH can save £1.93 in absenteeism costs or £2.35 in medical costs, while also supporting staff with disabilities and long-term conditions.

About the Society of Occupational Medicine

The SOM supports healthcare professionals working in occupational health, promoting research, education, and best practices to create a healthier workforce.

The Society collaborates with government, health charities, and other bodies to protect employee health and prevent workplace injury.

For more information, visit www.som.org.uk