How employers can help reduce the impact of long-term sickness absence
Long-term sickness absence can be one of the most challenging issues for employers and HR teams to manage. When an employee is struggling with their health, the impact often extends far beyond the individual. Managers may need additional support, colleagues can experience increased workloads, and businesses can face disruption to productivity and team performance.
While many employers think of Group Income Protection primarily as a financial benefit, it can also provide access to specialist support that helps employees promptly address health concerns, remain in work where possible, reduce the likelihood of a prolonged absence, and achieve a quicker, more sustainable return to work when an absence occurs.
How early intervention can help employers
Early intervention can help employers:
- support employee wellbeing through access to specialist support – without needing to wait for an absence to occur
- prevent an employee absence altogether
- reduce the length and cost of absence, along with the impact on teams and productivity
- improve return-to-work outcomes
- reduce pressure on managers and HR teams
The earlier support is provided, the greater the opportunity to make a positive difference.
Specialist support when employees need it most
At Zurich Corporate Risk, our medically qualified rehabilitation team combines medical and vocational expertise to support employees, managers and HR teams through a wide range of physical and mental health challenges. From helping employees remain in work to supporting a successful return after absence, our specialists provide practical, personalised support tailored to individual needs. This proactive approach helps employers retain valuable skills, minimise workplace disruption and achieve better outcomes for both their people and their business.
Support includes:
- Presenteeism and early intervention support
- Mental health support
- Cancer support services
- Return-to-work planning
- Guidance for managers and HR teams
Helping employees stay in work
When employees are experiencing health challenges, early support can often help prevent issues from escalating into long-term absence.
Our team offers presenteeism support and early intervention services where we’ll work with employers and employees to promote mental and physical wellbeing in the workplace. Our aim is to help employees return to good health and, where possible, prevent an absence from occurring.
Supporting HR teams and managers
Managing employee health issues can be complex.
Our Rehab Access Clinic is exclusively available for HR personnel to speak directly with a rehabilitation consultant about employee health and wellbeing queries. Beyond answering questions, we share practical expertise, so callers have the knowledge, confidence and tools to continue to effectively support their teams.
Supporting mental health and wellbeing
Mental health conditions remain one of the leading causes of long-term sickness absence.1
Our Rehabilitation team provides essential support for mental health and wellbeing challenges including access to specialist mental health professionals, who can provide practical support, education and guidance for employers and employees. to help organisations strengthen their workplace wellbeing strategies and create a more supportive environment for employees.
In addition, our Mental Health First Aid training can help build confidence across organisations and equip managers with valuable skills to support colleagues who may be struggling.
Supporting employees affected by cancer
A cancer diagnosis can have a significant impact on an employee's physical, emotional and practical wellbeing.
Access to our in-house cancer support service provides tailored advice, support and guidance from experienced nurses, so employees can focus on their treatment, surgery and recovery. We also recognise the impact a diagnosis can have on Managers, HR teams and colleagues. Our experienced team are on hand to offer practical guidance and reassurance, helping everyone affected feel informed, supported and confident in supporting their colleague throughout their cancer journey.
Providing practical support during difficult situations
Some workplace situations require immediate guidance and support.
Our ‘Raise the Alarm’ suicide prevention toolkit provides practical information and in-the-moment guidance for anyone responding to a threat of suicide. Designed to help people remain calm under pressure, it offers clear prompts to support them to ask the right questions, during what can be a distressing situation. The toolkit also contains preventative resources that can be explored in advance, helping managers and colleagues recognise potential warning signs, understand risk factors and feel better prepared to respond if concerns arise.
Online workshops
We offer a range of online health and wellbeing workshops for HR and people managers, covering topics such as, managing sickness absence, engaging occupational health, and supporting neurodiversity to help them be better prepared to support their people.
We also offer employee-focused workshops that provide practical support and insight into common health and wellbeing concerns such as male and female health, cancer, mental health, back pain management, and living with diabetes.
Creating better outcomes
It’s not just about the financial support Group Income Protection provides. By helping employees access the right support sooner, employers can retain valuable skills, reduce disruption to teams, support employee wellbeing and create a healthier, more resilient workforce.
Want to know more?
Featured articles
Additional support services for Group Income Protection policyholders
