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An overhaul of statutory sick pay (SSP) and incentives for those employers who help sick staff get back to work are among a range of measures to be introduced to help disabled employees.

A consultation to be published in July 2019 will explore:

• reforming SSP so it is better enforced, more flexible to encourage a phased return to work and covers the lowest paid
• offering SME employers a conditional rebate to support those who manage staff on sickness absence and help them get back to work, and
• giving employees rights to request workplace modifications on health grounds

The government has also published research looking at:

• the behaviours and attitudes of employers in terms of the provision of health and wellbeing initiatives for employees
• the risks and costs faced by employers when implementing these initiatives and the barriers preventing their implementation
• approaches to sickness absence management
• occupational health provision, and
• types of sick pay