NHS health advice line for small businesses

Small business employers can now directly access advice from NHS Plus occupational health professionals on 0800 0 77 88 44 about any workplace health problem.

The effect that absenteeism and ill health has on profitability can often be overlooked in a small business due to the daily demands of managing growth and improvement. But intervening early can help an employee with a health condition stay at work, or return to work more quickly, so minimising the impact on the business.

The cost of unexpected absences among employees should not be underestimated. Working-age ill health and sickness absence cost the UK economy more than £100 billion each year, with the worst performing businesses losing an average of 12 days per annum for every employee.

The most common recorded causes of absence are physical problems such as back pain, and mental ill health issues such as stress and depression. Mental ill health alone is estimated to cost the equivalent of £1,035 per year for every employee in the UK work force.

For free, immediate and confidential advice, small business employers and managers can call the adviceline on 0800 0 77 88 44.