Square Health

The cost of doing nothing on workplace health

Bippon Vinayak — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:33:15 GMT

What does workplace health inaction cost a CEO?

For a CEO, workplace health inaction creates a talent and continuity problem that grows quietly in the background. UK employees now take an average of 6.7 sick days per year, up from 3.7 in 2018 ⁽²⁾. That rise mirrors a national trend in the UK where 148.9 million working days were lost to sickness in 2024, the highest on record ⁽³⁾. In knowledge intensive businesses, this translates directly into delivery risk, rising management pressure and higher attrition. Employees who do not get the right support do not always return to full productivity and some do not return at all.

Fit note reform what the Keep Britain Working review means for UK employers

Chris Tomkins, Workplace Health Director — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:33:14 GMT

What is wrong with the current fit note system?

Around 11 million fit notes are issued in England every year ⁽¹⁾. More than 90% of these declare the individual not fit for work ⁽²⁾. Add to those facts that only 6 in 10 employers consider the current process ineffective at supporting employees’ work and health needs ⁽²⁾ and only 29% of primary care staff see issuing fit notes as a good use of GP time ⁽²⁾ and it’s clear a reform is needed.

Integrated Occupational Health vs Traditional Benefits | Workforce Health & OH Services Guide

Chris Tomkins, Workplace Health Director — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:33:12 GMT

What is integrated occupational health?

Integrated occupational health is a connected model that links clinical access, occupational health, absence support, case management, manager guidance and workplace insight into one coordinated pathway. It helps employers intervene earlier, reduce complexity and improve visibility across workforce health. Work related stress, depression or anxiety alone caused 16.4 million lost working days in 2023/24 ⁽³⁾, making early intervention and coordinated support essential.

What early intervention in occupational health actually means for UK employers

Chris Tomkins, Workplace Health Director — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:33:11 GMT

What does early intervention in occupational health actually mean?

Early intervention means spotting health related workplace risk sooner, connecting support before absence escalates and building referral pathways that allow employees, managers and HR to act at the right time. With UK employers losing 148 million working days to sickness absence each year ⁽¹⁾, earlier action is not just good practice, it is a commercial necessity.