With 10 million working days lost each year as a result of problems such as back pain, joint injuries and repetitive strain injuries, the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance has called on employers to focus on improving employee health. The Alliance believes there should be more flexible working opportunities; more training for managers on how to prevent and mitigate the effects of workplace caused problems; and more steps taken to allow people with long-term or chronic diseases to keep their jobs and thus their skills in the job market.
For their part, the Department for Work and Pensions said that they already help train employers in how to keep affected people at work and are currently running a pilot study to “give employers direct access to occupational health professionals.”
Back and joint pain is thought to cost the economy up to £7bn annually.
Source: bbc.co.uk/02.03.2010