28m days lost to work-related ill health
In 2007/08, 28 million working days were lost to work-related ill health according to a report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The HSE Annual Statistics 2007/08* reveal that conditions such as back pain, stress, depression and anxiety are the most commonly reported work-related illnesses in the UK – other complaints include respiratory diseases, dermatitis and hearing problems.
In addition, the HSE’s Fit3 employer survey 2007 found that musculoskeletal disorders and stress are cited by British employers as two of the biggest health and safety risks to their employees.
Other reports have claimed that workers’ mental health is suffering in the current economic climate, with the charity Samaritans announcing an increase in the number of calls to their London branch. Stress related to financial difficulties was believed to be the main reason for the increase**.
Amanda Falkson, a psychotherapist from Psychotherapy City, said: “About 90 per cent of my clients work in the city, and all of them want to leave their jobs. There is a lot of despair, anxiety and panic. It is a very unpleasant environment to work in. There is a feeling that only the strong will survive, so they are working longer, harder and later into the night.”
Figures from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) estimate the cost of mental health problems to the UK economy to be £5 billion per year, and reveal that up to 60 per cent of absences from work are related to stress***.
Workplace absence is a concern for every employer, which is why many businesses turn to health cash plans to help them to reduce sickness absence levels and to keep workers fit and healthy.
Most Westfield Health cash plans offer access to a 24-hour counselling advice line, so whatever the problem policyholders can talk to a counsellor, lawyer or medical advisor in complete confidence. Some of Westfield’s plans also offer access to up to six face-to-face counselling sessions.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy states that early treatment of musculoskeletal problems can reduce employees’ absence levels by up to five weeks. Early treatment can also greatly reduce the chance that pain will recur****.
Westfield plans also include a therapy treatment benefit, which enables policyholders to claim back the cost of physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment, up to set limits.
For more information on Westfield’s range of cash plans, visit www.westfieldhealth.com
Reference:
* http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh0708.pdf - Health and Safety Executive Annual Statistics 2007/08
** http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7644008.stm - Samaritans experience increase in calls
*** Work-related stress: a guide’– The Confederation of British Industry, 2007.
**** http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/oct/21/health-health
© Westfield Health Insurance | 2009
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