Half Of UK Workers Are Not Receiving Sufficient Workplace Health Support

A recent report by the Royal Society for Public Health shows that more than 10 million workers in the UK do not have access to health services at work. These services, such as flu vaccinations, health screenings, and mental health support, are often absent in industries such as your hospitality and agriculture spaces. This is unfortunate when you consider the fact that workers in these demanding positions actually have higher health risks with the least support.

Employees in low wage or physically intensive jobs are missing the necessary health services that could help them avoid long-term illness. While some companies have wellness initiatives, many workers are left behind. This absence of early care allows small issues to grow into more serious conditions in the long run, putting pressure on individuals and workplaces.

Without proper access to health support, employees are more likely to struggle with chronic illness, which contributes to absenteeism and productivity losses. Many workers find it hard to remain active in their job under these conditions, and this can in turn end up straining the workforce.

Businesses are now realising why workplace health is necessary for promoting stability. Workers with access to health services are more productive and less likely to leave their roles, helping organisations maintain steady operations.

How Does Poor Health Affect Businesses?

UK businesses lose around £100 billion every year due to absenteeism, not being productive, and staff turnover caused by illness. When employees leave because of health problems, the cost of hiring replacements adds a bigger strain, with each replacement costing about a third of the departing worker’s salary.

SMEs are also especially affected, with the average annual cost of sickness-related absences reaching £3,500. Many employees keep working even when unwell, spreading illnesses to colleagues and lowering productivity across teams. This creates a pattern of disruptions that is difficult to manage.

Long-term illness is also a growing issue, with 7% of the working-age population now inactive because of health conditions. With businesses facing rising staff shortages, replacing skilled employees becomes harder, pushing companies to take on higher turnover costs.

Preventing absenteeism and maintaining a healthy workforce is important for businesses to stay competitive. Organisations with healthy employees experience fewer disruptions, which means better long-term performance.

What Solutions Does the Report Suggest?

The RSPH report calls for the introduction of a national Health and Work Standard to guarantee all employees access to the needed health services. Sick pay from the first day of employment is also recommended, so its easier for workers to take the time they need to recover without losing income.

Small businesses may need more support to put these changes in place without risking financial difficulties. The report suggests that incentives from the government could help smaller businesses adopt wellness initiatives. Larger companies like Centrica have already seen improvements, and have saved millions in healthcare and absence costs just by supporting employee health.

Training HR professionals is another priority. Programmes like Employee Assistance Programmes are valuable tools that give mental health support and financial guidance to improve the wellbeing of staff. Legal and General Investment Management introduced better health benefits, which resulted in staff retention increasing from 76% to 90%.

Collaboration between government, public health bodies, and businesses is a way to track the progress of workplace health initiatives. Collecting reliable data will help identify what works best so workplaces can improve their policies and practices properly.

Why Are Health Inequalities An Issue?

Physical and mental health support is unequal across industries, leaving vulnerable employees at greater risk. Those without access to workplace health services often experience longer periods of illness, making it harder for them to stay employed.

The report points out that the workers in physically demanding jobs tend to face more barriers when trying to stay healthy. These employees are often exposed to poor working conditions with limited access to support, creating a cycle where they become unwell and struggle to get the help they need.

Unless workplace health services are made more accessible, inequalities will continue to grow. Businesses in sectors with fewer resources risk losing more staff, while larger companies with health programmes gain a competitive edge.