Review: Health at Work: an independent review of sickness absence

An independent review aimed at reducing the cost of sickness to employers, taxpayers and the economy was presented to the government on 21 November 2011 by health and business experts Dame Carol Black and David Frost.

Each year around 11 million employees take sick leave and while most people return to work around 300,000 people go on to claim health-related benefits. This is a huge loss in human potential. In addition, it is costing the taxpayer £13bn a year and the country as a whole is missing out on £15bn in economic output.

Evidence strongly suggests that work is good for health and in many cases can aide recovery - but the independent Review has found that too often the sickness absence system pushes people away from work and provides little support for them to return to work quickly.

The reviewers have published a number of recommendations, which aim to reduce the human and financial cost of needless sickness absence in the UK.

Download Health at Work: an independent review of sickness absence