Tackling workplace sickness could unlock £212 billion in UK economic growth, says Sir Charlie Mayfield

Sir Charlie Mayfield, former chair of John Lewis, emphasized that addressing workplace sickness linked to long-term illness could unveil significant economic growth during a recent discussion. According to Mayfield, the issue currently costs the UK approximately £212 billion annually.

On July 3, 2026, Mayfield highlighted the participation of over 250 major UK employers, including British Airways, Tesco, and Royal Mail, in his initiative called the Get Britain Working taskforce. This group aims to help prevent employees from leaving their jobs due to health issues and to encourage those on sick leave to return.

Impact of Long-term Illness on Employment

Mayfield noted that many individuals have shared experiences of being signed off work for extended periods without any communication from their employers. He stated, "I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who said: ‘I was signed off work for three months, or six months, and I never had any contact with my employer at all.’" This lack of communication underscores the need for improved workplace health initiatives.

According to government statistics, a substantial portion of the welfare budget in the UK is allocated to support those unable to work due to illness. As Mayfield pointed out, this represents a significant opportunity for economic improvement.

Employers' Commitment to Workplace Health

The companies involved in the taskforce will be monitoring sickness absence and return-to-work outcomes. This initiative aims to make workplace health performance more transparent than ever before. Major businesses, including Sainsbury's and EDF Energy, are among those committed to enhancing their workplace health policies.

Mayfield believes that getting people back into the workforce who are currently sidelined by health issues is a straightforward method to boost the economy. He commented, "You wouldn’t have had to build a single house, open a new channel of immigration, you wouldn’t have to wait for a cohort of young people to join the workplace. This is basically growth hiding in plain sight."

Political Support for Economic Growth Initiatives

As pressure mounts on Andy Burnham, anticipated to become the next Prime Minister, to reduce the UK’s welfare spending, Mayfield's proposals could play a role in addressing this challenge. He stated, "Fixing these problems at the fundamental level could make a really big contribution to getting this economy working better — for employers, for employees, for the taxpayer, for all of us."

Mayfield expressed confidence that Burnham would support his plans, framing them as a pathway to achieving sustainable economic growth. He remarked, "If this isn’t good growth, I’m not sure what is, quite frankly."

In conclusion, the initiative spearheaded by Mayfield and supported by numerous employers aims to tackle the pressing issue of workplace sickness while unlocking potential economic growth in the UK.