UK faces massive workforce exodus as health support at work falls woefully short
A staggering 600,000 Britons are expected to abandon their jobs in the next decade due to long-term health issues, unless a radical shift is made in how employers tackle staff wellbeing. This alarming projection from the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) paints a bleak picture for an economy already struggling with productivity woes.
The figures, which suggest a 26% increase in people becoming economically inactive by 2035 – equivalent to the entire city of Bristol leaving the workforce – are a stark warning that Britain is on the brink of a major crisis. With over 3.3 million adults expected to be affected, this would cost the economy £36 billion annually.
The RSPH has sounded the alarm, calling for a fundamental overhaul in how workplaces support staff with conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, mental health problems, and cardiovascular disease. William Roberts, chief executive of the RSPH, argues that employers must take a more proactive role in keeping people healthy, backed by a national standard of support.
The proposed solution involves introducing a national health and work standard, which would guarantee all UK workers access to minimum levels of healthcare support. This move aims to address the existing issue of nearly half the workforce lacking access to basic workplace health services, including flu vaccinations and cardiovascular disease checks.
Experts believe that harnessing the role of employers in promoting staff wellbeing will be crucial in tackling this crisis. Jamie O'Halloran, senior research fellow at the Health Foundation, notes that investing in staff – particularly line managers – can have a significant impact on both employee health and business performance.
A government spokesperson has highlighted its commitment to shifting from sickness to prevention, with its 10-year health plan aiming to provide personalized support to frontline staff. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the systemic issues driving this crisis.
The upcoming Keep Britain Working review, which is set to publish later this month, holds the key to unlocking a new era of workplace wellbeing and tackling the looming exodus of millions from the British workforce.
A staggering 600,000 Britons are expected to abandon their jobs in the next decade due to long-term health issues, unless a radical shift is made in how employers tackle staff wellbeing. This alarming projection from the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) paints a bleak picture for an economy already struggling with productivity woes.
The figures, which suggest a 26% increase in people becoming economically inactive by 2035 – equivalent to the entire city of Bristol leaving the workforce – are a stark warning that Britain is on the brink of a major crisis. With over 3.3 million adults expected to be affected, this would cost the economy £36 billion annually.
The RSPH has sounded the alarm, calling for a fundamental overhaul in how workplaces support staff with conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, mental health problems, and cardiovascular disease. William Roberts, chief executive of the RSPH, argues that employers must take a more proactive role in keeping people healthy, backed by a national standard of support.
The proposed solution involves introducing a national health and work standard, which would guarantee all UK workers access to minimum levels of healthcare support. This move aims to address the existing issue of nearly half the workforce lacking access to basic workplace health services, including flu vaccinations and cardiovascular disease checks.
Experts believe that harnessing the role of employers in promoting staff wellbeing will be crucial in tackling this crisis. Jamie O'Halloran, senior research fellow at the Health Foundation, notes that investing in staff – particularly line managers – can have a significant impact on both employee health and business performance.
A government spokesperson has highlighted its commitment to shifting from sickness to prevention, with its 10-year health plan aiming to provide personalized support to frontline staff. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the systemic issues driving this crisis.
The upcoming Keep Britain Working review, which is set to publish later this month, holds the key to unlocking a new era of workplace wellbeing and tackling the looming exodus of millions from the British workforce.
. The stats are eye-watering - 26% increase in people becoming economically inactive by 2035? That's staggering. It just goes to show that employers need to step up their game when it comes to supporting staff wellbeing. We can't keep relying on basic flu vaccinations and cardiovascular disease checks as a solution 
. I'd love to see more investment in employee wellbeing programs, particularly for line managers who are often the unsung heroes of workplace mental health. It's time for a radical shift in how we approach staff wellbeing, and I think introducing a national health and work standard would be a great starting point 
. The economic costs alone - £36 billion annually? That's a big number, but I'd rather invest in our people than risk losing an entire city to workforce exodus 
. I think employers have a major role to play in supporting staff with health conditions, rather than just offering basic services like flu shots 
. We need a national standard of support, like a minimum level of healthcare that everyone's entitled to 
. It's not just about prevention, but also addressing the systemic issues that are driving this crisis 
. Let's hope the Keep Britain Working review can help us find solutions & prevent this massive workforce exodus 
and no one's really sure how to fix it 
. like, a national health and work standard sounds like a solid idea, but where's the execution 
? and what about all the people who aren't even getting basic flu vaccinations at work 
? anyway, can't wait for that Keep Britain Working review to drop later this month, fingers crossed they come up with some actual solutions 
.
I'm like "what's up with this?!" A 26% increase in people being economically inactive by 2035 is insane 
. I think we need to get creative here 
.
Vaccinations
Healthcare checks
Ergonomic workspace
Employee assistance programs
Stress management training
Team-building activities
Flexible work arrangements
. Employers need to take ownership of staff wellbeing and provide a supportive environment 
. It's not just about the bottom line; it's about people's lives 
.
! I'm all for it 
.
Employers gotta step up their game big time if they wanna keep their staff happy and healthy. I'm all for that national health and work standard, it's about time we prioritize our people over profits 
. It's time for concrete action and investment in staff wellbeing. Our economy will thank us for it 
and let's not forget the £36billion annual cost to the economy... that's like the entire city of Bristol leaving the workforce 
. I mean, we've all been there with a bad back or a mental health day, but for some people it's not even an option 
.
. Maybe it's time for them to introduce that national health and work standard they're talking about 
. It's like the government is saying, "Yeah, we're good" while people are struggling to make ends meet 
. We need a national standard for workplace health support, and fast 
. This is exactly what the government's 10-year health plan should've addressed years ago 
.
. It's like we're being forced to choose between our health and our jobs 
. The future of Britain depends on it 
.
Like, come on guys, you gotta take care of your employees or you're gonna be left with a giant hole in the economy. And the fact that it's only gonna get worse by 2035? That's not cool 