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Wed, 23 Sep 2026

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 Off sick? You need to phone your boss, back-to-work adviser says

Relying on text and email means sick workers disengaged and were less likely to work again, says Sir Charlie Mayfield.

* This "rehumanises" the workplace and helps prevent workers dropping out altogether, he claims.
* The report by the taskforce estimates that health-related economic inactivity costs Britain around £210bn a year.
* It calls for more support in the workplace for people with health conditions and disabilities, including external help and the establishment of a Workplace Health System alongside the NHS.
* Improving communication between bosses and workers can also help get people back into work, Sir Charlie says.
* Around 300,000 people leave work every year due to health conditions, much of which is preventable, according to the report.
* Employees sometimes fear discussing long-term health issues with their employer, while employers may be afraid of causing offence or creating a grievance.
* The lack of communication can create a distance and lack of understanding between workers and bosses, making it more likely that a worker will drop out of the labour force altogether.