Helping your employees stay healthy and in work 

When an employee’s health is affecting their ability to work, getting the right support early can make a real difference.

WorkWell Essex is a free, UK Government-funded programme that helps people overcome health-related challenges affecting their employment.

Whether you run a small business or a larger organisation, WorkWell can provide additional support to help you retain valued employees, manage sickness absence and create a healthier workforce.

The programme complements the support you already provide, including occupational health and existing workplace arrangements.

How can WorkWell help your business?

Supporting employees with their health and wellbeing can help you retain valuable skills, reduce the risk of people leaving employment and support a more productive workforce.

WorkWell can help by:

• Supporting employees to stay in work – Helping people manage health-related difficulties before they lead to longer periods of absence or leaving employment.
• Helping employees return after sickness absence – Supporting individuals to build confidence and plan a return to work following illness or injury.
• Exploring workplace adjustments – Helping employees identify changes to their working arrangements, responsibilities or environment that could make work more manageable.
• Connecting employees with other services – Helping people access appropriate health, wellbeing and community support.

WorkWell is particularly valuable for smaller businesses that may not have access to dedicated HR or occupational health services, but it is available to eligible employees across organisations of all sizes.

Which employees could benefit?

WorkWell could help someone in your organisation who:

• Is struggling to manage a physical or mental health condition alongside their job.
• Has been taking time off sick because of their health.
• Is preparing to return to work after a period of sickness absence.
• Has a disability or long-term health condition that is affecting their work.
• Is worried they may need to reduce their hours or leave their job because of their health.

Employees don’t need to be off sick to benefit. WorkWell is designed to provide early support, helping people address challenges before they become more serious.

How does WorkWell work?

Employees who are eligible and choose to take part will be supported by a dedicated Work and Health Coach.

Their coach will:

1. Understand their needs – Talk through the challenges they are experiencing and how their health is affecting their work.
2. Develop a personal plan – Agree practical steps that could help them manage their health and remain in or return to employment.
3. Help them move forward – Provide ongoing guidance and connect them with other services where appropriate.

Support usually involves six to eight sessions, depending on individual circumstances.

Where appropriate, and with the employee’s agreement, their coach can also work with you to explore practical ways to support them in the workplace.

Working together to support your employees

WorkWell is designed to complement the support you already provide, not replace it.

You remain responsible for meeting your legal obligations as an employer, including making reasonable adjustments for disabled employees where required.

Employee choice and confidentiality are central to WorkWell.

Taking part is voluntary. Employees must agree to receive support, and referring someone does not give their employer access to their health information or support records.

If involving you in their support would be helpful, WorkWell will discuss this with the employee and agree what information can be shared.

Questions employers may have