Employers

Finding proactive and helpful ways to reduce absences due to sickness will help your business and make a huge difference to the people who work for you too. If you would like to refer a member of your staff, please get in touch or make a referral using the form on this website.

We try to get involved with any health, disability or workplace challenges as early as possible to increase the chances of employees returning to work and staying in employment. With staff absences thought to be costing the UK economy billions each year, employers can create efficiencies and savings by reducing the rates of sickness absence, while improving staff morale and productivity at the same time.

By helping people stay in work, or return more quickly, employers can also retain knowledge and skills from their existing staff while reducing costs on retraining or recruiting new people. You will also be supporting diversity in your workforce, including people with disabilities, helping you to gain different perspectives and a better understanding of your staff.

Referrals to our service are free, independent, and very easy to access. One of the most common issues for people struggling with a health condition at work is a breakdown in communication with their employer. Employees are often unsure of their options and become more anxious about returning to the workplace as a result. They remain away from work for longer because they don’t know what else to do. Our work and health coaches are voluntary, free and local. They will help employees to manage their expectations, develop a set of practical options, explain any advice from occupational health and human resources and help people consider what to do next.

A referral is suitable at any stage, for example, before any sickness absence, while off work, or when leaving the organisation is a possibility.

WorkWell provides:

• a personalised support service, with a single point of access
• advice and information on how to deal with issues connected to employee health conditions
• dedicated support for six months in line with any health and work developments
• an intermediary who can help to remove communication barriers and address any misunderstandings allowing the business and the employee to move forward
• help providing quicker timeframes for people returning to work, relieving pressure on employers and reducing the need for costly appeals, tribunal claims and other litigation

To be eligible you will be either:

• out-of-work and need health-related support to return to work or
• employed and either absent through sickness or struggling in the workplace due to a health condition.

You must also meet the following criteria:

• Your home address OR address of your GP/local Jobcentre Plus falls within the WorkWell Service, which is Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
• You are over 16.
• You have the right to work in the UK.