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<p> </p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p><p>The SSP Percentage Threshold Scheme compensates
employers with high levels of sickness absence but an independent review of sickness
absence[1] found it does nothing to tackle the causes of absence. As a result, the
Government accepted a recommendation in the Review to abolish the Percentage Threshold
Scheme. The Government also accepted a recommendation to establish a Service (now
known as the Health and Work Service) to offer specialist occupational health assessment
and advice to employers, employees and GPs. The Service is designed to reduce the
costs of sickness absence for employers by addressing the obstacles preventing a return
to work, and supporting employees back to work as quickly as appropriate. It will
be funded from the savings made from the abolition of the PTS and will provide a more
proactive way to manage sickness absence. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Small businesses
are least likely to have access to occupational health services, and will benefit
from having access to occupational health assessments and advice through the HWS.</p><p>
</p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p><br /><p>[1] Black, C. and Frost, D (2011) <em>Health
at work - and independent review of sickness absence.</em></p><p> </p>
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