The Scottish Government is committed to improving the health of Scotland's people, particularly those of working-age. The health of Scotland's working-age population is key to the wellbeing of both individuals and communities, and to the future success of Scotland.
The report of Dame Carol Black's review of the health of Britain's working age population concluded that ill-health in the working-age population has been estimated to cost the British economy £100 billion a year in lost productivity, lost tax and increased health and welfare costs. In light of the latest evidences and practices in working age health and wellbeing the Scottish Government, with involvement of key stakeholders, reviewed its Healthy Working Lives strategy and launched Health Works in November 2009.
The Health Works approach is to ensure that health is not a barrier to work for as many people as possible so that they can contribute to and share in the economic prosperity of Scotland. It sets out why we want to change attitudes to health and work amongst employers, workers and healthcare professions, and the actions that we will undertake to achieve this.
Health Works sets out 25 actions that aim to encourage employers to be more proactive in supporting the health and wellbeing of workers, recognising the benefit this can bring to increased productivity and reduced sickness absence. We will also be developing the health services that those with health barriers to remaining in, returning to or entering work need to access in order to reduce or remove these barriers.