National funding secured to tackle health-related workplace absence

Research led by the University of Derby to refine an online resource that helps employers better support staff with health issues has received a major funding boost.

The project has received £95,000 from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to further develop and test the ‘Health Work Toolbox’, a web-based resource designed to reduce leading causes of workplace sickness absence, including stress, anxiety and depression.

The research is part of a £1.8 million wider initiative from the NIHR aimed at reducing health-related economic inactivity, supporting the workforce, and shaping policies to combat the UK’s rising unemployment due to long-term illness.

A total of 16 research projects across a range of topics were competitively selected for the initiative, each aiming to shape policy and improve both economic inactivity and health outcomes nationally.

The Work-Health Hub at the University of Derby will deliver the project in collaboration with the University of Lancaster and renowned work-health experts.

It aims to provide evidence to support a future large‑scale trial, ensuring the ‘Health Work Toolbox’ is both effective and accessible by employers across the UK.

Lead researcher, Dr Jenny Lunt, senior lecturer in health psychology and behaviour change at the University of Derby, said: “This funding allows us to build on previous research into the leading causes of sickness absence to refine the digital prototype ‘Health Work Toolbox’.

“Our aim is to provide employers with accessible, practical, evidence-based tools to support staff with health challenges.

“By empowering line managers to provide timely support that encourages staying-at-work as well as earlier return-to-work, we believe that we can help reduce what should be avoidable sickness absence and contribute to better long-term health and employment outcomes.”

The Government’s recent Keep Britain Working Review found that, compared to 2019, 800,000 more people are unemployed due to health conditions.

Unemployment is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, poor mental health, suicide and long-term illnesses, costing the UK an estimated £85 billion each year.