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<p>The Statutory Sick Pay Percentage Threshold Scheme is not linked to finding work,
rather it compensates employers with high levels of sickness absence. An independent
review of sickness absence[1] found that this scheme 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
issues preventing a return to work, and supporting employees back to work as quickly
as appropriate. </p><p> </p><p>We consider that the creation of the Health and Work
Service, funded by the abolition of the Percentage Threshold Scheme, will enable sickness
absence to be better managed and improve the employment prospects of all employees,
including older and disabled workers.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>[1] Black, C.
and Frost, D (2011) Health at work - and independent review of sickness absen</p><br
/> <p />
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