Management Consulting
Aon
Full Credential Description
In the public sector, a significant challenge has emerged with nearly 10,000 council staff in England on long-term sick leave, a figure that has increased by 20% since 2019. This issue is compounded by a similar trend among key workers, including nurses and police officers, with almost 12,000 reported long-term sick. The Office for National Statistics indicates that over 2.8 million people are economically inactive due to long-term sickness, a situation projected to worsen, with an estimated 3.7 million working-age adults in England expected to live with major illnesses by 2040. To address this epidemic of long-term sickness, Aon Human Capital Solutions proposed a comprehensive strategy focused on enhancing workplace health and wellbeing. The tailored solution emphasized creating a supportive culture where employees feel comfortable seeking help, leveraging health and wellbeing data to inform interventions, and promoting health resources effectively. Aon recommended early engagement with employees on sick leave to facilitate quicker recoveries and reduce absence durations. This proactive approach included training for managers to better support their teams and implementing flexible return-to-work programs to ease the transition back into the workplace. The implementation of these strategies is expected to significantly reduce long-term sick leave among public sector employees, fostering a healthier workforce. By focusing on tailored interventions and a supportive work environment, Aon aims to not only decrease the number of employees on long-term sick leave but also enhance overall employee wellbeing and productivity.