Guide published on long-term health issues at work

The number of people in the UK with a long-term health condition is increasing so employers need a clear plan to give employees the best chance of fulfilling their potential, according to the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development [CIPD].

Its new guide, Managing and supporting employees with long-term health conditions,  sets out the latest thinking on how to support to such individuals to stay in work and thrive.

Over 15 million people live with a long-term health condition in the UK and it is estimated that in 2019/20, 32.5 million working days were lost due to work-related ill health. The CIPD says this highlights the need to better support people with long-term health conditions.

The main principles outlined in the guide include:

• Creating an open, inclusive and supportive culture where people can discuss their health, ask for any help needed and return to work following sickness absence
• Embedding good people management practices
• Creating the conditions and providing support for successful disclosure by making it very clear that any individual who shares information about a health condition will be treated fairly and with compassion and that their career opportunities will not be jeopardised
• Ensuring employees have easy access to support and information that could help them stay in work and work productively. This includes all relevant company policies and support
• Managing absence and leave with compassion and flexibility through a flexible and individualised approach to absence management
• Providing access to and training in work adjustments and self-management support
• Implementing a system of reporting and review to understand the composition of your workforce and how employees with long-term health conditions are experiencing work and to ensure that workforce needs are being met.

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