Sick Certificates: Rehabilitation as an Alternative

1. Sick Certificates: Rehabilitation as an Alternative

2. Introduction Statistics What is a �sick certificate�? Rehabilitation Case management Keys to success Summary As a Company we recognise the essential role played by good health in creating a world-class workforce and thriving, safe and healthy communities. Safe and healthy communities benefit everyone, including improving the quality of life of our present and future employees. It is a long-term priority of Tate & Lyle to invest in health improvement.As a Company we recognise the essential role played by good health in creating a world-class workforce and thriving, safe and healthy communities. Safe and healthy communities benefit everyone, including improving the quality of life of our present and future employees. It is a long-term priority of Tate & Lyle to invest in health improvement.

3. The Statistics Sickness absence costs UK businesses �12.2 billion/year! (CBI 2007) 10% of Kent police officers are off sick more than 28 days/annum! (Personnel Today Feb 08) Average sick absence rates 7.8 days for London Since 2002 Tate & Lyle has reduced long-term sickness/absence by 60% reduced ill-health early retirement by 75% and overall sickness/absence is currently running at 2.2% As a Company we recognise the essential role played by good health in creating a world-class workforce and thriving, safe and healthy communities. Safe and healthy communities benefit everyone, including improving the quality of life of our present and future employees. It is a long-term priority of Tate & Lyle to invest in health improvement.As a Company we recognise the essential role played by good health in creating a world-class workforce and thriving, safe and healthy communities. Safe and healthy communities benefit everyone, including improving the quality of life of our present and future employees. It is a long-term priority of Tate & Lyle to invest in health improvement.

4. Work is Good for Your Health Best way out of poverty Positive health and social consequences Being out of work� One of the biggest Public Health challenges facing Western Society 80% of people unemployed for 6 months or more will never return to work HMG objective of 80% employment rate London currently 69%HMG objective of 80% employment rate London currently 69%

5. Work is Good for Your Health �If you are out of work for more than six-months, your chances of committing suicide are 40 times higher than if you are working. Being out of work is more dangerous to your health than smoking 60 cigarettes a day!� (Unum Centre for Psychological and Disability Research)

6. What is a �Sick Certificate�? Historical context: Medical model justifying incapacity � GP used to be responsible for government expenditure on sickness. Now employer is responsible for funding sickness/absence Now have system of �sick cert on demand� - Research proves that GP�s are despondent with the system as it generates a vast majority of consultations Very rare that GP�s have OH experience Issued by a GP or hospital for sick payment purposes only An advisory note based on fitness for full role Drugs and Alcohol Rehab Stress Management Stress awareness training Referral process Counselling EAP �Round Table� Drugs and Alcohol Rehab Stress Management Stress awareness training Referral process Counselling EAP �Round Table�

7. What is the Alternative?  As a Company we recognise the essential role played by good health in creating a world-class workforce and thriving, safe and healthy communities. Safe and healthy communities benefit everyone, including improving the quality of life of our present and future employees. It is a long-term priority of Tate & Lyle to invest in health improvement.As a Company we recognise the essential role played by good health in creating a world-class workforce and thriving, safe and healthy communities. Safe and healthy communities benefit everyone, including improving the quality of life of our present and future employees. It is a long-term priority of Tate & Lyle to invest in health improvement.

8. Early Intervention is Key The sooner action is taken, the better the chances are of an employee making a full and speedy return to work Once an employee has been off sick for more than six weeks, the problem is often compounded and the chances of returning to work at all are significantly reduced Work in a well-managed workplace is a treatment for people recovering from sickness absence and an early return to work improves both mental and physical recovery Simple adjustments can enable workers to return to work safely before their symptoms completely disappear Workers can normally return before they are 100% fit(HSE �Managing sickness absence and return to work� 2006) Good management of sickness absence and return to work is accompanied by four tenets. These are: � Early intervention � Early and regular contact with an employee off sick is paramount although it may not be cost effective to do more than this until at least two weeks have passed as most people are likely to have recovered and returned with in this period. � Work is not harmful if properly managed � Too many see work as the problem and not as the goal or part of the solution. Overall work is good for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Work may cause or make worse ill-health but a well-managed organisation should be addressing any risks through control measures although these may need to be reviewed in the light of someone�s sickness absence. � A return to work can often happen before symptoms cease � It is unnecessary, unrealistic and unhelpful to wait until all symptoms cease and � Work is a treatment in its own right � There is good evidence to show that work aids physical and mental recovery improving self-esteem, confidence and indeed physical healing. Good management of sickness absence and return to work is accompanied by four tenets. These are: � Early intervention � Early and regular contact with an employee off sick is paramount although it may not be cost effective to do more than this until at least two weeks have passed as most people are likely to have recovered and returned with in this period. � Work is not harmful if properly managed � Too many see work as the problem and not as the goal or part of the solution. Overall work is good for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Work may cause or make worse ill-health but a well-managed organisation should be addressing any risks through control measures although these may need to be reviewed in the light of someone�s sickness absence. � A return to work can often happen before symptoms cease � It is unnecessary, unrealistic and unhelpful to wait until all symptoms cease and � Work is a treatment in its own right � There is good evidence to show that work aids physical and mental recovery improving self-esteem, confidence and indeed physical healing.

9. Case Management Proactive rehabilitation programme agreed with employee �Round Table Approach� - By working with the employee, the manager, the GP/Consultant (if necessary) and the human resources team, a care pathway can be mapped out by Occupational Health to ensure that employees are returned to health, work and efficiency at the earliest date Reduced hours; amended shifts; reduced or alternative duties; transportation Letters to GP�s and Consultants Good management of sickness absence and return to work is accompanied by four tenets. These are: � Early intervention � Early and regular contact with an employee off sick is paramount although it may not be cost effective to do more than this until at least two weeks have passed as most people are likely to have recovered and returned with in this period. � Work is not harmful if properly managed � Too many see work as the problem and not as the goal or part of the solution. Overall work is good for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Work may cause or make worse ill-health but a well-managed organisation should be addressing any risks through control measures although these may need to be reviewed in the light of someone�s sickness absence. � A return to work can often happen before symptoms cease � It is unnecessary, unrealistic and unhelpful to wait until all symptoms cease and � Work is a treatment in its own right � There is good evidence to show that work aids physical and mental recovery improving self-esteem, confidence and indeed physical healing. Good management of sickness absence and return to work is accompanied by four tenets. These are: � Early intervention � Early and regular contact with an employee off sick is paramount although it may not be cost effective to do more than this until at least two weeks have passed as most people are likely to have recovered and returned with in this period. � Work is not harmful if properly managed � Too many see work as the problem and not as the goal or part of the solution. Overall work is good for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Work may cause or make worse ill-health but a well-managed organisation should be addressing any risks through control measures although these may need to be reviewed in the light of someone�s sickness absence. � A return to work can often happen before symptoms cease � It is unnecessary, unrealistic and unhelpful to wait until all symptoms cease and � Work is a treatment in its own right � There is good evidence to show that work aids physical and mental recovery improving self-esteem, confidence and indeed physical healing.

10. Keys to Success Requires a robust sickness/absence policy and strong commitment from employees and managers Rehabilitation must be an integral part of every sickness/absence policy Employee education about sickness, �sick certificates� and rehabilitation � effective communication is a must! Good management of sickness absence and return to work is accompanied by four tenets. These are: � Early intervention � Early and regular contact with an employee off sick is paramount although it may not be cost effective to do more than this until at least two weeks have passed as most people are likely to have recovered and returned with in this period. � Work is not harmful if properly managed � Too many see work as the problem and not as the goal or part of the solution. Overall work is good for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Work may cause or make worse ill-health but a well-managed organisation should be addressing any risks through control measures although these may need to be reviewed in the light of someone�s sickness absence. � A return to work can often happen before symptoms cease � It is unnecessary, unrealistic and unhelpful to wait until all symptoms cease and � Work is a treatment in its own right � There is good evidence to show that work aids physical and mental recovery improving self-esteem, confidence and indeed physical healing. Good management of sickness absence and return to work is accompanied by four tenets. These are: � Early intervention � Early and regular contact with an employee off sick is paramount although it may not be cost effective to do more than this until at least two weeks have passed as most people are likely to have recovered and returned with in this period. � Work is not harmful if properly managed � Too many see work as the problem and not as the goal or part of the solution. Overall work is good for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Work may cause or make worse ill-health but a well-managed organisation should be addressing any risks through control measures although these may need to be reviewed in the light of someone�s sickness absence. � A return to work can often happen before symptoms cease � It is unnecessary, unrealistic and unhelpful to wait until all symptoms cease and � Work is a treatment in its own right � There is good evidence to show that work aids physical and mental recovery improving self-esteem, confidence and indeed physical healing.

11. Summary In conclusion: Rehabilitation is integral to creating good health at work It expedites employee recovery from illness or injury For rehabilitation to be successful there is a need for increased awareness and commitment among employees, managers and unions or employee representatives Good communication links with GP�s and Consultants are also vital It is associated with high performing and well managed organisations Simple steps can make all the differenceSimple steps can make all the difference

12. Questions? Simple steps can make all the differenceSimple steps can make all the difference