Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Workplace Sickness Absence

Monday 4 September 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is consulting on occupational health to help reduce sickness absences in the workplace.
  • Department is focused on supporting employees who are sick in the workplace.
  • Secretary of State and ministerial colleagues take bullying in the workplace seriously and are willing to discuss the issue with concerned MPs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Employment
Context

The question focuses on steps taken to reduce sickness absence, an issue affecting many workplaces.

Question

What steps his Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce sickness absences in the workplace.

Answer from Mel Stride

Sickness, and supporting those who are sick in the workplace, is an important focus for the Department, which is why we are consulting on occupational health and ensuring that more businesses take it up as something to offer their employees.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps and commitments were not provided; only a general statement was made about focusing on sickness in the workplace.

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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Employment
Context

Seventeen million working days are lost annually due to negative workplace cultures, including bullying. The question addresses the Secretary of State's actions on this issue.

Question

Seventeen million working days are lost every year because of negative workplace cultures and staff wellbeing. That is partly down to bullying, which is prevalent across many workplaces. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to consider workplace cultures, particularly bullying at work, and will he meet me to discuss my bullying and respect at work Bill, which would put a recourse into law?

Answer from Mel Stride

Like the hon. Lady, I and my ministerial colleagues take bullying in the workplace extremely seriously. There is no place for that in our country. I would be very happy for her to have a meeting with the relevant DWP Minister.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps regarding bullying were not provided; only general statements of seriousness and willingness for a meeting were made.

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