Misconceptions about personal injury costing employers
Employers’ misconceptions and general lack of knowledge about rehabilitation for injuries resulting from a
personal injury or absence due to ill health could be costing them up to £610 million each year according to a new report published by EEF (employers’ organisation and Unum (disability insurer) .
“The Sickness Absence Report 2008″ found that businesses actively providing rehabilitation for injured or sick employees have enjoyed a 0.7% lower absence rate as a result.
This translates to an extra 1.5 days’ work per employee each year, and in the manufacturing industry means something in the region of 4.5 million working days.
The reasons given for employers’ reluctance to consider rehabilitation included misconceptions about the effects on the employee’s health, resistance by employees themselves, GP’s roles in promoting treatment and concerns about Disability Discrimination legislation.
The report highlighted mental health issues, which can be as a result of stress and is an area where early intervention could ease the situation and possibly prevent long term problems that could lead to employees losing their jobs.
Updated on 6/6/2008