Sickness absence review
On 17 February 2011 the Government called for a major review of the sickness absence system in Great Britain in order to help combat the 140 million days lost to sickness absence every year. The review was jointly chaired by David Frost, former Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce and Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health and Work and published on 21 November 2011.
The review presents an important analysis of the:
- sickness absence system in the UK
- impact of sickness absence on employers the State and individuals
- factors which cause and prolong sickness absence and which, in too many cases, mean that employees move out of work entirely and on to benefits.
The review also provides a critique of the current system and the roles that healthcare professionals, employers and government services play. This is an important contribution to our understanding of the sickness absence system and the reviewers offer challenging and new insights into this complex problem as well as a number of recommendations.
Government response to the review
The Government published its response to the review’s recommendations on 17 January 2013. The response also outlines a broader strategy to support the health and wellbeing of the working age population.
- In particular it examines:
- A health and work assessment and advisory service
- Improving sickness absence management
- Supporting healthcare professionals
- Reforming the benefits system
- Fitness for work: the Government response to 'Health at work – an independent review of sickness absence' (1MB)
- RTF version – Fitness for work: the Government responseto 'Health at work – an independent review of sickness absence' (694KB) RTF
- Welsh summary – Fitness for work: the Government response to ‘Health at work – an independent review of sickness absence’ (1.9MB)
Please send any questions on the Government response to:
Email: sar.response@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
The Review
- Health at work – an independent review of sickness absence (1.6MB)
- RTF version – Health at work – an independent review of sickness absence (3.5MB) RTF
- Health at work presentation – illustrates some of the key points from the independent review (184KB)
- Welsh foreword and summary – Health at work – an independent review of sickness absence (150KB)
The following presentation includes the specific questions the review invited comments on:
- Sickness absence review presentation (91KB)
- Text version of the sickness absence review presentation (55KB)
- The review's terms of reference
- Biographies for David Frost and Dame Carol Black
- Press release announcing the review
Please send any comments or queries on The review to the following:
