Driving down sickness absence at First Group: Nurse‐led system promotes employee health

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a nurse‐led absence‐management program from Active Health Partners that has been used to monitor and reduce absence at First London and Berkshire, part of First Group, the international transport company.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents First London and Berkshire's reasons for implementing the system, how it works in the company and the results.

Findings

The paper reveals that First London and Berkshire experienced significant cost savings through a 20 percent drop in employee absence. Morale increased as the company invested in employee well being.

Practical implications

The paper presents a program that could benefit many organizations and their employees.

Originality/value

The paper describes how absence‐management schemes can help to manage and reduce absence in a company, by boosting employee health and productivity.

Citation

(2008), "Driving down sickness absence at First Group: Nurse‐led system promotes employee health", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 26-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730810860708