More than 60 UK employers are working with the government to reshape how health issues and disabilities are managed in the workplace.

The joint effort aims to reduce sickness absence, improve return-to-work rates, and increase disability employment rates.

Employers involved in the initiative, including household names such as British Airways, Google and Sainsbury’s, alongside Mayoral Combine Authorities and SMEs, will be known as ‘the Vanguards’.

They will develop and refine workplace health approaches over the next three years to build the evidence base for best practices in supporting people to stay in work and building healthier workplaces.

The scheme comes in response to the Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review, published on November 5, which found that UK employment among disabled people stands at 53%, while employers lose £85 billion a year from sickness, staff turnover and lost productivity.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the review, said: “Britain is sliding into an avoidable crisis. Ill-health has become one of the biggest brakes on growth and opportunity. But this is not inevitable. 

“Employers are uniquely placed to make a difference, preventing health issues where possible and supporting people to return to work. If we keep Britain working, everyone wins – people, employers, and the state.”

To help drive this work forward, Sir Charlie Mayfield will co-lead a Vanguard Taskforce with Ministers, bringing together employers, disabled people, workers’ representatives, and health experts.

The Taskforce will work with the Vanguards to develop the interventions and identify what approaches could become part of the future employment landscape.

Welcoming the three-year plan, Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said: “Far too many people who are living with arthritis are locked out of the workforce because of a failure to provide the right support and flexibility, including when they are wating for treatment.

“This review is an important step in ensuring that people with disabilities, including fluctuating conditions such as arthritis, receive the right support and investment from the Government and employers.”  

Jon Sparkes, CEO of learning disability charity Mencap, commented: “At Mencap we know that 86% of people with a learning disability not in work, want a paid job, but there are currently too few inclusive roles and training opportunities to support them into employment. Change is urgently needed for people with a learning disability to access simple adjustments - such as more accessible communication or on the job support to help them get bedded into a role.   

“We look forward to working with more employers on creating inclusive workplaces, and hope that this review will not only boost the economy but also create a fairer society – helping people with a learning disability to get onto the career ladder and reach their full potential.”