In my write-up of key insights from the audience that Sir Charlie Mayfield granted to members of our Leaders’ Club back in June, I summarised:
“Just as the 2017 Stevenson/Farmer Thriving at Work review reshaped the way employers think about mental health, this [Keep Britain Working] review has the potential to be a watershed for broader workplace health.”
“Done right, it could herald a more joined-up, preventative approach, with early intervention and rapid rehabilitation when needed, that keeps people well and working – reducing pressure on the NHS and welfare system, increasing national productivity, and allowing individuals and organisations alike to thrive.”
Just looking at the review’s list of supporting organisations, it’s clear that the consultation has been thorough and engagement levels have been high throughout. That in itself reflects employers’ appetite – across sectors and organisation sizes – for clarity, direction, and change.
Has the end result lived up to my expectations?
The freshly launched report is definitely worth reading and digesting. You can download it here.
In a nutshell: Four key takeaways
1. A fundamental shift
The report proposes moving from a model where health at work is largely left to the individual and the NHS, to one where it becomes a shared responsibility between employers, employees and health services.
2. Shared roles across employers, employees and government
Employers are uniquely placed to act earlier and more effectively on prevention and rehabilitation – by encouraging safe, early conversations about emerging health issues, making reasonable adjustments, offering flexibility for treatment and phased returns, and supporting people swiftly.
Employees’ responsibilities are also recognised, while government is tasked with resetting the system by enabling and incentivising action. To do this effectively, robust, data-linked evidence is essential.
3. Vanguards will lead the way
Sixty vanguard organisations – including British Airways, Google, Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barrett, Mayoral Combined Authorities, and SMEs – will work with government over the next three years to test and refine workplace health approaches and build the evidence base for what works.
4. Three key deliverables
The Vanguard Phase has three deliverables:
- Establish a Healthy Working Lifecycle to underpin a consistent, outcome-based approach to work, health and disability across the UK.
- Develop Better Workplace Health Provision (WHP) with certified standards and an expanded multi-provider marketplace to ensure access to high-quality support for all employers.
- Create a Workplace Health Intelligence Unit (WHIU) to aggregate and analyse data, guide improvement, and provide system-wide leadership.
Will it have the impact we’re hoping for?
Time will tell – but I’m optimistic.
The concept of “vanguards” feels promising. They’ll act as a network of champions, and, as with employers’ own champion networks, the challenge will be keeping them engaged, motivated and aligned. At Make A Difference Media & Events, we’re keen to engage with as many Vanguards as possible to help amplify their successes and ensure our wider network of employers learns from their experiences.
While many employers may have hoped for immediate financial incentives, the government’s data-driven approach makes strategic sense. The three-year plan provides the time needed to gather evidence and embed sustainable change.
The joined-up approach is also encouraging – whether that’s between employers, employees and government, between businesses and Mayoral Combined Authorities, or across departments.
If implemented well, these proposals could stimulate innovation and create a more coherent ecosystem of suppliers and interventions that deliver real impact for individuals, employers and society alike.
As Sarah McIntosh, Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said in response to the report:
“We look forward to working with government, employers, and partners to turn this Review into real-world action, creating workplaces that are confident, caring, and equipped to keep Britain working well.”
I second that emotion.
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