Organisational benefits

Healthy workplaces provide many benefits to employers, including:

• reduced absences and sickness leave
• increased loyalty and retention, saving money on recruitment and training
• a more adaptable workforce that embraces flexible working 
• more robust organisational readiness to meet changing needs
• increased motivation and commitment from workers and the community
• greater interest from new talent

Healthy and fair workplaces can also apply for Scottish Government funding through Fair Work First.

Find out about the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First initiative. 

Economic inactivity and poverty

Economic inactivity refers to people of working age who are not currently in, or actively seeking, employment.

According to the Annual Population Survey, around one third of the inactive cite long-term sickness or disability as the reason. Many people report that they would return to work if the right support was available from employers.

Healthy and fair workplaces can make it easier for workers to stay in employment, reducing impact on the welfare system and helping people stay out of poverty.

Employers should provide preventative measures to help workers stay healthy at work, support workers who are at risk of becoming inactive and support a return to work for those furthest from the labour market.