WIREDGOV

Work recovery - good for business, good for you

DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS News Release (Reference EMP-099) issued by The Government News Network on 6 August 2008

New research concludes that more than 90 per cent of people with health problems can be helped to return to work by following a few principles of good health care and work place management. Simple measures, alongside structured support for those who need extra help, could reduce long term sickness absence and the number of workers going on to long term incapacity benefits by up to 60 per cent.

Evidence from the review into vocational rehabilitation, Vocational Rehabilitation: What works, for whom, and when? shows effective return to work depends on two key strands:

1. Healthcare which includes a focus on work - this means early intervention which is tailored to meet the individual needs.

2. Workplaces that are accommodating - incorporating a proactive approach to supporting return to work and the temporary provision of modified work

The Green Paper No One Written Off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility included proposals to give people more support through a personalised back to work programme to address their health and skills needs precisely to address these issues.

Commenting on the review Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said:

"Our radical proposals to reform the welfare system are designed to ensure people can stay at or return to work if they are able to. This evidence shows working can be an important step in people's recovery. We are looking at how we can work with employers to make sure people get the support they need in the workplace. We have proposed doubling the amount of money we make available to employers to adapt the workplace to accommodate employees with specific needs."

In addition, further independent research from the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York and the Institute for Employment Studies in Brighton has shown with the right support people with mental health problems can get back into work and for many having a job may actually help with their recovery. Poor mental health is one of the most commonly cited reasons for claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB). The Government has pledged to get a million people off IB by 2015.

James Purnell continued, "Mental illness can affect anybody, its causes are complex and everybody's recovery can be different, but it is clear that working can be an important part of some people's recovery, or management of their condition. This research demonstrates we are moving in the right direction helping people who can work back into employment and good health."

The research, from the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York, also found many employers and employees are very supportive of mental health conditions.

Research conducted found the majority of people with mental health problems, who had talked about their condition at work, reported colleagues were positive and constructive.

Additionally, the research discovered employers were keen to learn more about mental health issues, and would welcome more contact with GPs about individual employees with mental health problems so they could plan better for their return to work.

Social Policy Research Unit's Professor Roy Sainsbury, who led the research team, said "Mental health and employment is one of the most challenging policy issues facing the UK. While constructive legislation and employer policies and contact between employers, GPs and other health professionals are undoubtedly part of the way forward in improving the employment experiences of people with mental health conditions, long-term progress possibly lies in changing attitudes towards mental health across all groups in society."

Jane Aston, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies who led the research with employers, says:

"The research found that early intervention is critical in addressing mental health problems at work, and a case-by-case approach yields the best results. Often, adjustments to the person's role or workplace need only be minor and inexpensive. Line managers in any organisation have a vital role in recognising the signs of mental health problems, and being confident enough to talk to staff about it."

Notes to editors

1. The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) review, commissioned by the Vocational Rehabilitation Task Group and the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), looked at the arguments for helping people to recover from common health problems and accidents by getting them back into their place of work early.

2. It demonstrated there is strong scientific evidence for many aspects of VR and it makes good business sense for employers to get their staff back to work.

3. The mental health and employment research, and the VR research are part of a wider programme of study looking at the barriers people face to work feeding in to Government's understanding of employment issues and informing policy working towards the Government's commitment to 80 per cent employment.

4. The Vocational Rehabilitation Task Group is made up of representatives from business, trades unions and government, who along with the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) commissioned a review; Vocational Rehabilitation: What works, for whom, and when?

5. The report Mental Health & Employment can be found at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep513.pdf

Website http://www.dwp.gov.uk