"The context for negotiations and representation over sickness absence and sick pay has moved on since the last LRD guide was published in 2015. Overall unemployment is low, there is a tightening labour market with a record level of vacancies, and government statistics suggest that levels of sickness absence have fallen steadily.
The direction of government policy has shifted from controlling sickness absence to getting people into work and keeping them there — including a million more disabled people. At the same time, the government is contemplating a reform of the Statutory Sick Pay scheme (SSP) so that it fits better with the increasingly casualised, zero hours, gig economy that is now part of the UK labour market.
There is also a heightened awareness that mental health problems are widespread, some no doubt linked to work-related stress and workload. There also seems to be greater recognition of other health pressures within the workforce, and the need to address employee wellbeing. ..."

Support: Paper