We welcome the publication of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working recommendation report, which highlights a critical shift in how workplace health and wellbeing should be managed. The report recognises that reducing absence and ill-health cannot rest solely on the NHS or state support—it requires active collaboration between employers, employees, and health services.
The proposals advocate moving away from a model where health at work is seen as the responsibility of individuals and the NHS, towards one where responsibility is shared and includes employers. Employers are in a strong position to explore where they can help, particularly regarding prevention and rehabilitation.
In doing so, they will benefit from improved productivity and reduced costs. Importantly, the report flags that much of this change should not demand additional spending—employers are already paying billions looking after their employees, but many are lacking direction or clarity. The embedded support within employee benefits, particularly Group Income Protection, does a lot of this work for them, and will save money in practice: focusing spend in this area could dramatically change the outcomes for employees and employers alike.
But that doesn’t mean financial support isn’t important so the report’s proposals around incentives for employers are significant. They hint at incentivising in the right areas where employers are encouraged to spend money in the areas which show compelling evidence of positive health outcomes. This will be crucial. With many small businesses already facing financial strain, these incentives need to be targeted and effective to ensure widespread adoption of the new shared workplace health model.
David Williams, Head of Group Risk, commented:
“We see first-hand the impact that proactive engagement can have in the workplace. Employers have the tools and influence to make a real difference—not just in reducing absence, but in creating healthier, more resilient workforces. This report validates what our industry has long advocated: health at work is a shared responsibility, and collaboration is key to unlocking productivity and wellbeing.”
The employee benefits industry has long championed this approach, working to educate government, employers, and employees on the importance of shared responsibility for workplace health. We are delighted to see the Keep Britain Working review endorse this view and look forward to collaborating on initiatives that create a healthier, more engaged, and productive workforce.