Return to work 'good for health'

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Most people with health problems can be helped back to work with the right type of support, new research suggests.

Long term sickness and the number of workers on long term incapacity benefits could be cut by up to 60%, the report by the University of York said.

And those with mental health issues who talked about their condition at work found colleagues to be positive and constructive, it said.

The report said having a job may actually help their recovery.

Supportive employers

Commenting on the research, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said: "Our radical proposals to reform the welfare system are designed to ensure people can stay at or return to work if they are able to.

"This evidence shows working can be an important step in people's recovery.

"We are looking at how we can work with employers to make sure people get the support they need in the workplace.

"We have proposed doubling the amount of money we make available to employers to adapt the workplace to accommodate employees with specific needs."

Line managers in any organisation have a vital role in recognising the signs of mental health problems and being confident enough to talk to staff about it Jane AstonInstitute of Employment Studies

Poor mental health is one of the most commonly cited reasons for claiming incapacity benefit (IB). The government has pledged to get a million people off IB over the next seven years.

Research from the university's social policy research unit, suggested that many employers and employees were very supportive of mental health conditions.

It discovered that employers were keen to learn more about mental health issues and would welcome more contact with GPs about individual employees with these problems so they could better prepare for their return to work.

Jane Aston, of the Institute of Employment Studies, which led the research with employers, said: "The research found that early intervention is critical in addressing mental health problems at work.

"Often, adjustments to the person's role or workplace need only be minor and inexpensive.

"Line managers in any organisation have a vital role in recognising the signs of mental health problems and being confident enough to talk to staff about it."