Work-related sickness costing UK economic system £400m every week, union evaluation says | EUROtoday

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New evaluation has advised that work-related sickness is costing the UK economic system greater than £400 million every week.

The research, primarily based on information from authorities office regulator the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and carried out for the Trades Union Congress (TUC), additionally revealed that the variety of cumulative sick days misplaced as a result of ill-health has elevated by a 3rd since 2010, to 34 million.

The figures come forward of laws on employment rights returning to the Commons this week, with the federal government pledging to extend safeguards for staff and safety at work.

Business leaders have raised issues concerning the affect of increasing employment rights and repealing anti-union laws, and warned it will hurt financial development.

However, TUC normal secretary Paul Nowak claimed that the evaluation proved that the employment rights bundle is required to assist increase financial development and productiveness within the UK, which has been flatlining for the reason that normal election final 12 months.

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“Work related ill-health is costing us hundreds of millions each week – that’s billions of pounds down the drain every year,” he mentioned.

”That’s why the federal government’s Employment Rights Bill is so essential. Cracking down on exploitative practices like zero-hours contracts and giving individuals extra safety will increase staff’ well being, well-being and productiveness. It may also assist extra individuals keep in work.”

Mr Nowak mentioned giving staff extra management and predictability over their lives would foster a happier and more healthy workforce.

“We need to turn the corner on Britain’s low-rights, low-pay economic model that has been tested to destruction over the last 14 years,” he mentioned.

According to the evaluation, work-related ill-health price the economic system £22 billion in 2023.

The TUC claims the rise in days misplaced to work-related in poor health well being has coincided with an enormous increase in insecure work.

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The union physique estimates that over the same interval (2011-2023) the variety of individuals in precarious employment additionally rocketed by a 3rd to over 4 million.

A separate report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives means that poor high quality work can hurt worker well being.

The report said: “Most health conditions develop outside work, but for a significant number of people, work itself is the cause. Persistent insecurity, workplace discrimination and extreme demands take a serious toll on health. In some cases, poor-quality work is even worse for health than being unemployed.”

Polling by Opinium final autumn confirmed that three-quarters (75 per cent) of managers suppose that strengthened employment rights will enhance worker well being, in comparison with simply 4 per cent who disagree.

Seven in 10 (74 per cent) surveyed believed that strengthening employment rights will enhance workforce retention, in comparison with simply 6 per cent who don’t.