A stark warning has been issued by former John Lewis boss, Sir Charlie Mayfield, that Britain is 'sliding into an avoidable crisis' due to the escalating cost of ill health in the workplace. His major review, commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions but produced independently, estimates that poor workplace health is now costing UK employers an astronomical £85 billion a year. This figure, covering lost output, sick pay, and staff turnover, highlights the severe strain placed on the economy by the growing number of people out of work due to long term health conditions.The review emphasizes the enormous economic and social cost, noting that Britons being unable to work due to sickness is costing the country around 7% of its GDP.
