The government is launching a major new initiative designed to tackle the UK's growing sickness crisis and prevent thousands of workers from falling out of employment due to ill health.
A Critical Intervention for Small Businesses
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it will fund free occupational health training for 5,000 line managers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across England. The scheme, with a budget of up to £800,000, is a direct response to the sharp rise in long-term sickness that has left over 2.8 million people out of work.
Official statistics show the problem has worsened dramatically since the pandemic, with an extra 800,000 working-age adults now jobless because of sickness compared to 2019 figures. The training programme, delivered by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), will run from January to March 2026.
DWP Employment Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, stated: "Too often, small businesses lose skilled staff to health issues without the tools to support them. This free training changes that. It gives line managers the confidence to have the right conversations and make adjustments that could help keep people in work."
Addressing a Costly Divide in Workplace Support
The initiative targets a significant gap in support between large and small companies. Currently, only 21% of SMEs offer wellbeing training for managers, compared to 76% of larger employers. This is despite evidence showing its effectiveness; among the minority of small firms that do provide such training, 79% report it successfully prevents staff health problems.
The financial burden on small businesses is substantial. Government data indicates that replacing a worker who has fallen ill costs a small firm around £11,000, while each single day of sick leave drains approximately £120 from profits.
The training will equip managers to spot early warning signs like persistent fatigue, behavioural changes, and rising absence levels. It will also cover referrals to occupational health services, supporting staff with both physical and mental health conditions, and employers' legal duties under the Equality Act 2010, including making reasonable adjustments.
Business Backing and How to Register
The announcement has been welcomed by business groups. Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "We are pleased to see DWP devoting funds to upskilling SMEs. Employee welfare is a priority, but training can be put out of reach by rising costs. This will help around 5,000 SMEs look after their employees' health and help them thrive."
David Tomlinson, Health and Safety Business Partner at the University of Lincoln, who has completed the programme, noted: "It's given us greater confidence to help us shape our approach to occupational health and wellbeing at work."
Bosses can pre-register for the training until 31 December, with full registration opening on 2 January. Participation is voluntary, with firms opting in based on the potential benefits. This scheme forms part of the government's wider Small Business Plan, which also includes measures on national insurance, energy bills, and apprenticeship costs.
