Off sick? You need to phone your boss, back-to-work adviser says
A government-appointed adviser in the UK suggests that employees on long-term sick leave should maintain regular phone contact with their employers. The report argues that this communication helps rehumanize the workplace and prevents employees from becoming disengaged or permanently dropping out of the workforce.
Why it matters
It addresses the economic and social impact of long-term health-related unemployment, proposing communication as a tool for retention.
Image source, Getty Images By Lucy Hooker Business reporter Published 23 September 2026, 11:40 BST Updated 10 minutes ago People off sick from work should keep in phone contact with their boss, government-appointed back-to-work expert Sir Charlie Mayfield has said.
Getting bosses and workers to have a conversation, rather than simply exchanging emails and sicknotes, could help get people back into work, Sir Charlie, who is leading the Keep Britain Working taskforce, said.
His latest report said health-related economic inactivity was costing Britain around £212m a year in benefit payments and lost output.
Talking on the phone was just "one piece of the jigsaw" he said on Wednesday.
The report calls for more workplace support , external for people with health conditions and disabilities and the establishment of a Workplace Health System alongside the NHS.
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