CIPD viewpoint
Explore the CIPD's collected perspective on the key issues impacting work, including recommendations, supporting evidence and links to resources for policymakers and employers
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on health and wellbeing at work, including actions for Government and recommendations for employers
With only half of organisations having employee wellbeing on senior leaders’ agendas, health and wellbeing needs to be a core element of any HR strategy, and central to the way an organisation operates. This is especially critical during a global health emergency, where many employees find themselves working remotely, isolated from friends, family and colleagues for long periods of time, and anxious about their health and wellbeing.
The latest official data shows that almost 27 million working days were lost to work-related ill health in 2017/18, with 1.4 million people suffering from a work-related illness. CIPD research shows that the average level of employee absence is 5.9 days per employee per year. Although this figure has been falling over the last decade, it does, however, mask the fact that most people continue to work when unwell, while many employees even use holiday or sick leave to work.
The UK’s ageing workforce also means that employers will increasingly need to ensure they are taking a more strategic approach to supporting the health and wellbeing of their employees.
Employers have a fundamental duty of care for the physical and mental health and wellbeing of their workers. However, our research shows that only around half of organisations have employee wellbeing on their senior leaders’ agendas.
A focus on employee health and wellbeing should be a core element of any HR strategy, and central to the way an organisation operates and fulfils its mission. It should not simply consist of one-off initiatives.
As well as benefiting employees, an integrated approach to wellbeing can increase employee engagement, fostering a joint commitment to organisational success.
In line with wider evidence, our research shows that the main risks to employee health are now psychological, with mental ill-health and stress being the top two causes of long-term absences. Yet an ageing workforce means implications such as age-related disabilities and long-term health conditions must also be weighed and managed if workplace health and wellbeing is to be holistically addressed.
Explore the CIPD's collected perspective on the key issues impacting work, including recommendations, supporting evidence and links to resources for policymakers and employers
Learn about the benefits of an effective wellbeing programme for your organisation and employees
Engaging with ministers, other policy makers and our membership to inform our views to influence government