Free Support to Get Back into Work After Long Term Sickness
Recent statistics have revealed that more than two and half million people are out of work due to health problems – a record high for the UK.
Research from the Office of National Statistics has found an array of contributing factors that have led to this increase, including:
- The ongoing impact of long Covid
- An aging workforce
- Increasing mental health problems in young people
- A rise in neck and back pain among people who work from home
Between 2019 and 2022, there has been significant rises in people being out of work due to long-term sickness, including a 22% rise in mental illness, a 31% rise in back or neck problems, and 41% rise in ‘other’ health problems, with long Covid sitting in this category.
If you’ve been out of work for a long time, the idea of returning can be daunting – especially if you have been dealing with an illness that may still be present.
At Futures, we can support you if you’re looking to get back into work. Our advisers are experienced in giving you the help you need and can work with you to find a solution that suits you, your health, and your needs.
We spoke to Jenny Verano, one of our expert advisers, about what advice she would give to those struggling with their mental and physical health.
Mental Health
Looking after your mental health is incredibly important, both inside and outside of work.
If you struggle with your mental health, or suffer from conditions such as anxiety or depression, finding work can seem like an insurmountable task – but it doesn’t have to be that way.
“Drowning is not what happens when we fall in the water – it's what happens when we stay there. There is support for you if you’ve been struggling with mental health issues, and it’s okay to ask for it. You don’t have to wait – you can decide that you deserve better and start talking about solutions with people who are trained to guide you.”
Physical Illnesses
Some physical illnesses are short-lived, and you can get back to work relatively quickly when they’ve passed, but that’s not always the case.
While someone with a broken leg might have to take a few weeks off, some physical illnesses could result in months or even years out of work. In those cases, you might feel out of touch, unsure of your skills, and scared about trying to find work again. That’s where our team can step in to help.
“If you’ve been out of work for a long time, try to find the gifts that your situation has given you and how you can use them. You might be able to teach others with the knowledge you now have or create something that helps others going through a similar situation. By turning your challenges into gifts, you will show strength and resilience in the face of difficulties and feel empowered to move forward.”
Long Covid
Since the pandemic, over 400,000 more people are now not working due to ill health, and part of that is due to the ongoing impacts of long Covid.
According to the NHS, symptoms of long Covid can include extreme tiredness, aching muscles, shortness of breath, concentration issues, dizziness and difficulty sleeping, so it’s not surprising to hear that people don’t feel enough to work.
If you’re living with long Covid and are unable to work, or need to support to be able to continue working, the Government has put together resources to help.
You can access them for free on the Government website.
How to Prevent Illness When Working from Home
There’s no way you can prevent getting ill altogether, but there are things that can be done to minimise the risk of certain illnesses or injuries, especially when working from home.
With a 31% rise in people experiencing neck and back pain, the first thing to do is make sure you have the right equipment. Sitting on a proper desk chair rather than taking your laptop to the sofa, and using extra equipment like laptop stands and footrests, can go a long way in improving how you feel. Talk to your HR department about whether this equipment can be provided for you by the company.
When working from home, having the right support is just as important as having the right equipment. It can be easy to feel lonely, so make sure you keep in touch with people and make time for breaks away from your computer.
Scheduling in person meetings with your team or joining co-working spaces to be around other people who work remotely.
