Dame Carol Black review: working for a healthier tomorrow
On 17 March 2008, Dame Carol Black, the National Director for Health and Work, published the review, “Working for a Healthier Tomorrow” – an analysis of the health of the UK’s working age population. The review calls for urgent and comprehensive reform, stating that ill health is costing the economy £100bn a year – not only in benefits, but in lost productivity and taxes.
The review focuses on the UK’s “benefits culture”, and proposes a number of measures aimed at getting workers suffering from ill health back into the workplace. The aim is not only to increase business productivity, but to improve the long-term health and welfare of the UK’s working population. The report recommends that support should be provided in the early stages of sickness, and should include support in the event of mental health conditions. Of particular note is the proposed “fit-note” – a note to be provided by GPs to employers, indicating what the worker can do, as opposed to what he is unable to do. The report also recommends that businesses should do more to facilitate flexible working, and that employers (especially larger companies) should be encouraged to provide occupational health support to allow employees to return to work.
The Government will decide in the coming months whether the proposals will be introduced.
To view our full LawNow article on the Black review click here.
To view ‘Working for a Healthier Tomorrow’ click here.
