Why refer to WorkWell?
One of the key objectives of WorkWell is to support individuals with a health condition that is a barrier to remaining in or finding work. It can be the case that employees with mental health, MSK and respiratory conditions will often find it more difficult to return to and remain in work. This can be for a variety of reasons, but we believe that by intervening at the earliest possible stage and adopting a preventative approach, the prospects of helping employees returning to work and sustaining employment can be greatly improved. This also has the potential to create efficiencies and savings to businesses by reducing sickness absence, increasing morale and productivity, and offering a value-added benefit to prospective employees.
How WorkWell can add value to your business
Firstly, it’s free, independent, and very easy to access. One of the most common obstacles for those who are struggling with a health condition at work is a breakdown in communication between the employee and their employer. This can leave the employee feeling unsure of their options and increasingly anxious about returning to the workplace, meaning they remain absent from work for longer than necessary because they don’t know how to move forward. Our Work & Health Coaches can help them to manage their expectations, develop a set of practical options, interpret occupational health/HR advice and help them consider the wider implications of decisions relating to their career and family.
A referral might be suitable at any stage in an employee’s lifecycle whether prior to sickness absence once health difficulties have been highlighted, while they are absent from the workplace or perhaps when they are nearing a stage that leaving the organisation might be a possibility.
How WorkWell can add value to your business
- Free, independent, practical information, advice and guidance for employees on how to deal with issues at work connected to health conditions that is designed to help employees understand their options and move forward.
- Indicative timeframe for support is 6 months but is not time limited meaning that the employee can flex access according to speed of health and work developments.
- WorkWell offers an opportunity to work as an intermediary that can achieve outcomes by cutting through communication barriers, misconceptions, unrealistic expectations and take realistic pragmatic steps forward.
- Can help to expedite the timeframe for returning to work with implications for occupational sick pay, reducing time and resource-heavy processes and may reduce the likelihood of progression to stages that can give rise to appeals, tribunal claims and litigation.
