People with chronic MSDs compromising health to keep jobs

The government, the NHS, and employers are failing to provide the necessary support for people with chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to stay in work.

This is according to a new report by Lancaster University’s Work Foundation and the Fit for Work UK Coalition. The findings also indicate that some patients are putting their health at risk to hold on to their jobs.

Currently, Britain is losing 30.5 million working days a year to MSDs such as back pain, arthritis and fractures. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), they are the leading cause of sickness absence.

The report shows that employers, in particular small organisations, have little knowledge about government schemes such as “Access to Work” and are insufficiently prepared to manage chronic conditions in the workplace. Many workers admit to being reluctant to ask for help from their line managers for fear of stigma, negative judgement and job loss. Others said they had to involve their union to get the necessary support or move into self-employment.

The interviews conducted for the report highlight that, unless action is taken, individuals’ health conditions and quality of life will continue to be damaged by work, with some leaving the labour market prematurely. The consequence of the status quo is an increase in productivity loss, sickness absence and, ultimately, the welfare bill.

Kate Summers, Research Officer at The Work Foundation, commented: “Individuals with chronic MSDs will go to great lengths to remain in work. They will give up aspects of their family and social life, and they will even take roles below their skill set. This is because work can bring many benefits – be they financial, psychological or social. These benefits are undermined if individuals are working in an environment that is not good for their health.”