A look at the success of the 'Fit for Work' scheme and the new 'Fit note' and its affect on absence management in the UK workforce.

1. Welcome to the ‘Fit For Work’ Webinar Facilitated by Sam Musannif at People Resolutions Hosted by HubCap Digital

2. Objectives and Format To recap on why the FFW scheme was introduced by the government in April 2011 and Determine how well things are going since the scheme was introduced Format Introduction and recap Absence Management 101 FFW – How things are going Interactive Q&A session

3. Our Speakers and Q&A Panel Lindsay Soulsby Director People Resolutions Gail Kovacs Director KMG Health Partners Ltd Sam Musannif Senior Account Manager, People Resolutions

4. So first, a quick recap

5. Our previous webinar In our March FFW webinar we... Looked at the implications of the new Fit For Work (FFW) scheme through: Looking at the costs of absence management in the UK Understanding the objectives of the FFW scheme, how it works and who is involved Learning how the scheme will affect employers and HR and the costs involved What employers should be doing

6. We advised that employers should... Carry out absence assessments Check/revise their absence policies and procedures Train Line Managers and HR on the implications of the FFW scheme Ensure health literacy (both mental and physical) Educate employees to ensure the scheme is accepted and seen as being fair to all Ensure access to professional advice for complicated cases when required

7. Absence Management 101 Lindsay Soulsby People Resolutions

8. Just how big is the problem? Overall cost of absence to the UK economy is £17.3bn per year Annual cost per employee is £692 Absence rates tend to be highest in larger organisations and are 31 % higher in the public sector than the national average. Take the NHS in isolation and this gap increases to 44% Fewer than half of employers monitor the cost of absence and only half have set a target for reducing absence However an increasing number of employers say that the recession is making absence management a priority, with 1 in 5 employers seeing a rise in mental health problems such as anxiety and depression

9. From the government’s perspective Britain has one of the highest proportions of people on sickness and incapacity benefits in Europe 2.6million on Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support and 600,000 more each year 1.5 million have been receiving benefits for more than five years 350,000 people a year move from long-term sick notes into the system Dame Carol Black, the National Director for Health and Work, said ill-health was costing the economy £100bn a year If you're off sick for six months, you have an 80% chance of being off for five years and if you claim for two years or more, you are more likely to retire or die than return to work According to a recent survey (July 2010) 76% of incapacity claimants are 'fit to work‘

12. Back in March the findings suggested that... 68% of employers had little knowledge of the changes Only 5% of employers thought they would reduce absence 57% of employees didn’t think that their doctor is qualified to judge them fit for work 64% of GPs felt ill-equipped Unions have voiced concerned about H&S risks Line Manager training so far? Government guidance issued too late

13. GAIL KOVACSBA, BPE, CCRC, CDMP, RRP, ABDA, HRDC, FCARPDirector of KMG Health PartnersVice Chair of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (UK) Gail has 35 years of front-line, management and project experience in health care and vocational rehabilitation in both the public and private sector, and in the UK, Europe, Canada and the United States. As a Trustee and Vice Chair of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) in the UK, Gail has supported standards development with the VRA, the UK Rehabilitation Council and the British Standards Institution.

14. Fit for Work Scheme Gail Kovacs

17. Department of Health (DOH)

18. Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

19. Scottish Government

20. Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)

21. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

23. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/health-work-and-well-being/about-us/

24. http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

25. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Sicknessabsence/

27. A healthy workforce is a happier, more productive workforce

28. Prevention / early intervention

29. Quality and standards to keep the employee and employer from harm

31. Best practice is health, occupational health and vocational rehabilitation

32. Best practice or better practice?

34. General approach FFW

35. For the employee Advice on tackling the causes of non-work related stress, such as housing or debt problems, relationship issues, or responsibilities as a carer Occupational health support, including physiotherapy and psychological therapy Planning a manageable return to work and advice on how to support a return to full health while at work

36. For the employer Mental health training Dedicated help line Visits to the workplace for professional advice and guidance on how to manage work attendance

38. Dundee

39. Rhyl

40. Birmingham

41. Eastern & Coastal Kent

42. Greater Manchester

43. Kensington & Chelsea

44. Leicestershire

45. North Staffordshire

46. Nottinghamshire

48. Working Health Services Service Eligibility Working age and employed by a small to medium enterprise (< 250 employees) Based in Scotland No access to Occupational Health/ Employment Assistance Programmes? Experiencing a level of stress or anxiety or issues with pain etc?

49. Working Health Services Services A Case Manager for one to one telephone support An initial assessment of overall health and well being Identification of any health issues/barriers to work Tailor made interventions

50. Working Health Services Services Prompt access to locally delivered treatments including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Counselling Regular contact and reviews to monitor and encourage progress Advice, support and mentoring as required Help to find useful services in the local area

51. Working Health Services Process Contacted by an NHS Case Manager within 2 working days of receipt of referral Offered a telephone appointment with a Case Manager Receive an initial assessment within 5 working days of referral

52. Working Health Services Process A Case Manager works to design and agree a personal action plan Agreed therapeutic intervention will be accessed and delivered The programme will last between 2 and 12 weeks

53. Kensington and Chelsea FFW Who is eligible? Are residents of the borough Are employed/self employed Have been signed off work due to sickness for two to six weeks or have been issued a ‘Statement of Fitness’ (a ‘Fit Note’) Do not have severe health problems

54. Kensington and Chelsea FFW Prompt referral for any of the following services: Physiotherapy Osteopathy Counselling Clinical exercise Acupuncture

55. Kensington and Chelsea FFW Advice and support on other issues like debt, housing, employment and training Comprehensive assessment Quick access Consistent point of contact

56. Kensington and Chelsea FFW For employers: Occupational Health advice Health and support services Health and safety advice through workplace visits and training for employers Access to independent legal advice sessions on matters including fit notes, sick pay, and health and safety concerns

57. Nottingham FFWS Work Survival - courses aimed specifically at helping employees to manage their health and work Support in Work – 1:1 help from a health professional to tackle health issues and stay in work Working for Health - independent advice and support for businesses to help develop and retain a healthy workforce

58. Work Survival Course 1. Understanding wellbeing and health 2. Coping with stress and anxiety 3. Managing moods 4. Work-life balance 5. Sleep and relaxation 6. Future planning - health in work

59. Work Survival Course Other options: Assertiveness skills Coping with pain Dealing with negative comments / situations Healthy eating Positivity in action And: Physical activity workshops

60. Other Health, Work and Wellbeing Initiatives Business Advice Lines Health, Work and Wellbeing Coordinators The Challenge Fund Business Health Check Tool Increasing funding to Access to Work Improving advice from GPs about fitness for work Developing a new electronic Fit Note Talking Therapy Services

62. In Scotland, you can contact the Healthy Working Lives Advice line on Tel: 0800 019 2211

64. Phone and email details online (http://www.dwp.gov.uk/health-work-and-well-being/)

65. aim to reduce work related ill-health and promote best practice and innovation on health, employment and skills

66. Establish networks / signpost to services

68. Funds innovative projects

69. Accessed by local partnerships and SMEs

71. How do I compare? – compares absenteeism and turnover rate against those of other organisations

72. How can I improve? – practical ideas to help reduce health and well-being costs

74. Employers with 10 to 49 employees will pay the first £300 and 20 per cent of costs up to £10,000

75. Employers with 50 to 249 employees will pay the first £500 and 20 per cent of costs up to £10,000

77. Suggest common ways to help employees return to work

78. Give information on how the condition will affect what the employee can do

80. Information, advice and guidance

81. Referral to these services