Is your reward strategy prepared for the frontline sickness crisis?

Low-income and deskless workers are bearing the brunt of the UK’s work-health crisis. Content writer Sarah Haselwood draws on conclusions from REBA’s Affordable access: inclusive benefits for frontline and shift workers report to explore how organisations can support these workers through funding models, early intervention, and targeted communication.

How to tackle the frontline work-health crisis to boost workforce resilience .jpg

The Keep Britain Working (2025) review lays bare a growing workforce crisis: rising ill-health and long-term sickness now leave more than one in five working-age adults economically inactive, while long-term sickness among younger workers has surged by 76%.

Government policy provides the backdrop, but the review stresses that some of the responsibility lies in the workplace, with both employers and employees.

Worker demographics

Lower-paid and deskless staff sit at the sharp end of the UK health crisis, trapped in a damaging "work-health conundrum."

Exposed to intense physical and mental strain, these employees suffer higher rates of ill-health—yet inadequate Statutory Sick Pay and minimal personal savings force many to work through illness or delay early treatment, exacerbating long-term health outcomes and compounding financial stress.

What can employers do?

To better support frontline, deskless and shift workers, employers can focus on benefit accessibility and cost-effective funding strategies. 

Despite facing financial pressures like rising operating costs, organisations can expand coverage by offering employee-funded models via the workplace, such as health cash plans, life insurance, and tiered protection benefits. 

Clear, direct communication can bridges the awareness gap and help employees to both understand their options and actively engage with workplace support.

Additionally, employers can maximise their existing resources by improving signposting and strengthening early intervention pathways so low-earning employees can easily navigate and utilise support before health issues escalate into long-term sickness absence.

For further insights into how organisations can support deskless workers and tips for communicating benefits clearly, read REBA’s Affordable access: inclusive benefits for frontline and shift workers report, in partnership with Personal Group.