Introduction

This chapter considers how employees with health problems can maintain their own health, wellbeing and productivity across over their working life. Chronic health problems are an increasing problem within an ageing workforce. The majority of these health issues are defined as a ‘condition that is long-term, cannot be currently cured but can be controlled with the use of medication and/or other therapies’ (DH, 2010, p 4). Such conditions can be limiting in terms of daily functioning. They include common health problems such as musculoskeletal disorders (such as repetitive strain injury and persistent back pain) and mental health problems (such as stress, anxiety and depression), as well as cardio-respiratory conditions. Although health issues are generally associated with an ageing population, many conditions are caused, or made worse, by work (HSE, 2010). Musculoskeletal disorders and stress, depression or anxiety are the most commonly reported work-related health problems. They are also reported to be the biggest causes of both long-term and short-term sick leave (CIPD, 2009) and the most common reason for claiming incapacity benefits (HSE, 2008).

The prevalence of chronic health problems at work is potentially higher when those with a non-work-related but work-relevant health problem are included in the figures (that is, causes of disability, absenteeism and work loss). Common examples include HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and cancer. Despite this, the prevalence of people with a chronic health problem in employment in the UK is much lower compared with rates from counterpart countries: approximately 59% of British men compared with over 70% of their Danish and Norwegian counterparts; and half of British women compared with over 64% of their Norwegian and Swedish counterparts (Whitehead et al, 2009).

Overall, the annual costs of sickness absences and unemployment related to chronic health problems is over £100 billion, equivalent to the annual costs of the National Health Service (Black, 2008). It is widely acknowledged that work is good for health and can reduce health inequalities (Waddell and Burton, 2006). Furthermore, job retention or (return to) work is therapeutic for most people with health problems, as it promotes recovery and rehabilitation, and maintains or improves quality of life and wellbeing (Waddell and Burton, 2006).