More attention needed to tackle sickness absence

Addressing delegates at the COVER Protection Forum, Ablett said rising medical costs and the ageing population were causing a strain on the delivery of healthcare in the UK. To combat this, Ablett proposed employers work with the private sector if they wish to successfully address rehabilitation issues. He also urged advisers to embrace the risk issues associated with sickness management. "Do employers realise the true cost of absence? Do they realise the cost of litigation in today's society? "Firms have to stop seeing health as an employee ben- efit, but as an employer ben- efit...