How can the government’s occupational health consultation support small businesses?
1-minute read
As the government consults on how occupational health can reduce long-term sickness, Simply Business responds with how to properly support small businesses and the self-employed. Here, our UK COO Bea Montoya writes about what could help this vital section of our economy.
The UK’s SMEs are at a breaking point when it comes to their mental health, which is why we felt it so important to write to the government and provide evidence for their consultation on occupational health.
The Occupational Health: Working Better Consultation concluded on 12 October, and the government is now analysing how they can improve people’s health at work and reduce the number of people off work due to long-term sickness.
From our research with small businesses, in partnership with Mental Health at Work, we know that there’s a worrying trend of poor mental health and wellbeing amongst SMEs.
Over half (56 per cent) of small business owners surveyed have suffered from poor mental health in the past 12 months. Sleepless nights, burnout, and long hours are just a few of the compounding issues we’ve heard through our research.
Insuring more than 900,000 small businesses, Simply Business is committed to taking an active role in supporting the self-employed – with their mental health and wellbeing, and indeed the other challenges facing this vital community.
Small businesses are responsible for 48 per cent of all British jobs and contribute £1.6 trillion in turnover to the UK economy – they’re vital to both our economic recovery and the prosperity of our communities.
That’s why we wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions outlining what steps could help support the mental health of the UK's self-employed.
An assistant programme for the self-employed, a flexible statutory sick pay scheme, and self-help guidance are just some of the ideas that the SME community and Simply Business have asked the government to explore as a priority.
Ready to set up your cover?
As one of the UK's biggest business insurance providers, we specialise in public liability insurance and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?
Start your quote
Written by
Bea Montoya
Beatriz Montoya is UK Chief Operating Officer at Simply Business. Bea is an expert in creating customer-centric marketing efforts, and products and services.
We create this content for general information purposes and it should not be taken as advice. Always take professional advice. Read our full disclaimer
Keep up to date with Simply Business. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on social media.
Subscribe to our newsletterInsurance
Public liability insuranceBusiness insuranceProfessional indemnity insuranceEmployers’ liability insuranceLandlord insuranceTradesman insuranceSelf-employed insuranceRestaurant insuranceVan insuranceInsurersAbout
About usOur teamAwardsPress releasesPartners & affiliatesOur charitable workModern Slavery ActSection 172 statementSocial mediaSite mapAddress
6th Floor99 Gresham StreetLondonEC2V 7NG
Northampton 900900 Pavilion DriveNorthamptonNN4 7RG
© Copyright 2024 Simply Business. All Rights Reserved. Simply Business is a trading name of Xbridge Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Registration No: 313348). Xbridge Limited (No: 3967717) has its registered office at 6th Floor, 99 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7NG.