As the UK’s leading provider of Group Income Protection insurance, we fully appreciate the problems employers face when a member of staff is unable to work due to long-term illness or injury. As an employer the following questions may spring to mind:
- What can I expect from my income protection policy?
- What resources can I tap into for help?
- How and when will my employee be able to work again?
- What are my obligations to my employee under the Disability Discrimination Act?
- How will the rest of my company be affected?
Income protection insurance with Unum offers far more than just financial support. Our specialist in-house Rehabilitation Services team are able to work with you and any member of your workforce should they be unable to work for a prolonged period of time. Our team help you to manage the associated costs of employee absence and facilitate a safe return to work for the individual concerned.
A recent survey carried out by EEF in conjunction with Unum* revealed that sickness absence rates are unchanged from the 2007 survey at 3% (6.8 working days per employee) but employers reported a trend in the increase of long-term absence. 61% of respondents saw their profitability increase over the past three years, with 16% seeing a decrease. There was a link between profitability and absence; as one increased, the other decreased.
Rehabilitation Services offers support and expertise in the following areas:
- Developing a Graduated Return to Work plan
- Accommodating a physical disability in the workplace
- Supporting employees with stress-related illness
- Alternative job options for employees who cannot return to their role
For further information about our Rehabilitation Services please visit the dedicated pages within the Why We’re Different section of this website.
* Sickness absence and rehabilitation survey 2008 (EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation in partnership with Unum)