The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a significant new initiative aimed at keeping thousands of people, including those with disabilities or health conditions, in employment.
Free Training for Small Business Managers
At the heart of the scheme is free, DWP-funded occupational health training for 5,000 line managers working in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across England. The Labour government confirmed the move as part of its wider drive to tackle the issue of workplace sickness.
The programme is designed to equip managers with the skills to better support their staff and identify health-related concerns at an early stage. Ministers argue that the cost of ill-health to smaller firms is severe, citing figures that replacing an employee lost to ill-health costs over £11,000, with each day of sickness absence costing around £120 in lost profit.
Mixed Reactions and Underlying Concerns
While the government frames the initiative as supportive, it has sparked concerns among some campaigners who fear it represents a renewed effort to compel disabled individuals into the workforce. The announcement has been met with caution by those who worry the support could turn into pressure for people to return to work before they are ready.
However, early feedback from those who have completed the training has been positive. David Tomlinson, Health and Safety Business Partner at the University of Lincoln, stated: "I really enjoyed this course. It provided valuable insight into what can be a challenging issue for us as an employer. And it’s given us greater confidence to help us shape our approach to occupational health and wellbeing at work."
Government and Business Benefits
Labour's Minister for Employment, Dame Diana Johnson, emphasised the potential benefits for all parties. "Too often, small businesses lose skilled staff to health issues without the tools to support them - and that doesn’t help anyone," she said.
"This free training changes that. It gives line managers the confidence to have the right conversations and make the adjustments that could help keep people in work. When small businesses support their staff to stay at work healthy, everyone wins - employees, businesses, and our economy."
The free training is available for managers to sign up for via a dedicated campaign website, which is set to go live imminently. The DWP's push underscores a continued focus on reducing economic inactivity and supporting employee wellbeing within the UK's smaller businesses.
