Almost half of UK workers (46%) have taken extended sick leave in the past five years, with one in five (19%) being out of work for between one and five months, new research has revealed.
With 2.8 million people currently unable to work due to long-term illness, the findings highlight the urgent need for better health support from both employers and the NHS.
Workers Call for Action on Health Support
The research, conducted by UK business consultancy Barnett Waddingham, outlines the key changes employees believe would help them stay in work:
- 28% want a reduction in NHS waiting times through more in-person appointments
- 24% call for faster referrals to specialist care
- 22% say more virtual NHS appointments would help
- 22% want better NHS mental health support, rising to 25% for women and 27% for those aged 25-34
From their employers, workers are asking for clearer policies and financial support:
- 22% want financial assistance for managing long-term health conditions
- 21% say suitable workplace adjustments, such as flexible working, are a priority
- 18% would benefit from clearer workplace policies on sick leave and absence management
A Gap in Workplace Health Benefits
Despite the concerns, many workers do not receive adequate support from their employers:
- 58% are not offered private medical cover, even though 35% say they would use it
- 31% do not receive paid sick leave
- 61% lack critical illness insurance
The findings suggest a worrying shortfall in workplace health benefits at a time when sickness-related economic inactivity is at record levels.
A Call for Urgent Action
Julia Turney, partner and head of platform and benefits at Barnett Waddingham, warned that failing to address these issues would have severe consequences for businesses and the economy.
“The message is clear: workers need better health support – both from employers and the NHS – to stay in or return to work,” she said. “With economic inactivity rising, businesses and the government can’t afford to ignore the growing gaps in healthcare benefits and mental health support,” she said.
She added that as the government prepares for the Spring Statement, it must prioritise health and workplace policies to prevent further stagnation.
“With the Spring Statement fast approaching, the Chancellor and the government must think carefully about how they enact the next stages of their Get Britain Working mandate.
“Otherwise, we risk another year of economic stagnation, a disengaged, inactive workforce that is too sick to be productive, as well as a business landscape struggling with absenteeism, lost talent and declining productivity. If both the government and employers fail to step up, the cost won’t just be to individuals — it will be to the entire economy.”
With long-term sickness becoming a major challenge for both businesses and policymakers, practical solutions such as expanding employer-provided health benefits and improving NHS efficiencies will be critical, say workplace experts, to tackling the problem.