It is nearly 2023, not 1823 or even 1923, and we are still living through a pandemic, yet some people in the UK feel they cannot stay home when they are sick. Others are already experiencing long term health issues from poverty, malnourishment, or not being able to keep warm. Many are living with Long Covid or have increasing caring responsibilities for someone living with the long term impact of illness.
Not only does this have potential long term consequences for their own health and wellbeing, it risks spreading illness to those around them who may already be vulnerable.
It also means there are less people available to work full time in an already difficult resourcing climate.
An unhealthy population is less productive therefore we are all poorer for it – the effects on our wider economy are only just being felt, and will be worsening daily.
There are things employers can do to support people through these times and stay afloat themselves. They do not have to be monetary measures.
1st November, 2022