Workforce health assessments: IOSH view on proposals

Sir Charlie Mayfield, who is leading the UK Government's Keep Britain Working Review, has said employees should be given health checks when starting new jobs. This, he says, can help tackle sickness among the workforce. Here is IOSH's view on it.

Encouraging employers to take a more active role in supporting workforce health is a positive step.

This is particularly the case where it helps identify issues early and enables support and accommodations to be made so people can remain in good work.

However, workforce health assessments should not be seen as a solution in themselves. It needs to be part of wider system approach that leads with prevention. Such an approach must address the root causes of poor health, especially those where HSE statistics inform us that harm is occurring. This includes work-related stress, depression and anxiety, musculoskeletal disorders and other occupational hazards and risks.

Employers must focus on creating safe and healthy working environments. This includes carrying out robust risk assessments, ensuring good job design, intervening early when concerns arise, and building inclusive and learning cultures.

Where health checks are introduced, they must be accompanied by strong safeguards around confidentiality and used to support workers, not stigmatise them. By prioritising prevention and providing timely support, organisations can help more people stay healthy, remain in work and thrive throughout their careers.