Employee health | 300,000 people leaving the workforce through ill health each year

New analysis shows that each year around 300,000 people aged 16–64 have left the workforce and report having a work-limiting health condition. Once out of the workforce, these individuals are nearly three times less likely to return to employment than those in good health.

The findings are part of an interim report by the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, which was established by the Health Foundation to address the growing challenges of working-age ill health. Drawing on insights from employers, experts and the public, the report highlights the need for a new approach to help people with health conditions remain in or return to work.

In addition to 4 million working-age people out of work with ill health, 3.9 million people with work-limiting health conditions are now in employment – an increase of 1.5 million since 2013. However, workers with work-limiting health conditions are still three times more likely to leave the workforce than those in good health.

The report notes that support for workers with health conditions often comes too late or is absent. Fewer than half of UK workers have access to occupational health services, the fit note system is ineffective and statutory sick pay is less generous than in other countries. While many employers want to help, they often lack the capacity or knowledge, especially smaller businesses.