A major new research programme will investigate how workplace health and wellbeing initiatives can reduce sickness absence and improve employees’ quality of life.
The £3.7 million project, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), will run for five years from May 2026. It will focus on initiatives that are free for employers to access – known as WHISPAs (Workplace Health and Wellbeing Initiatives that are Free at the Point of Use to Workplaces).
These programmes, typically funded by local authorities or voluntary and community organisations, offer support such as mental health resources, musculoskeletal health advice, flexible working guidance and workplace wellbeing activities.
The study will concentrate on small and medium-sized organisations with fewer than 250 employees, where financial and staffing pressures can limit access to workplace health support.
The project is being led by the University of Birmingham, with partners including Newcastle University, Teesside University, Imperial College London, the University of Hertfordshire, the University of Exeter, East Sussex County Council and the British Chambers of Commerce.
Workplace health remains a growing concern for employers and policymakers. Mental ill health alone cost UK workplaces more than £100 billion in 2023, while the number of people out of work due to long-term sickness reached a record high in 2024.
Nigel Lloyd, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire, said the project would help identify what makes workplace wellbeing programmes effective.
“The University of Hertfordshire is delighted to be part of this important collaborative project. Our role will involve working closely with organisations to understand how they implement workplace health and wellbeing support, and the factors that enable or hinder success.”
Researchers will begin by reviewing existing evidence and collecting new data to assess the effectiveness of current free and low-cost initiatives. The findings will then inform a practical support package for local government, focusing on mental health, musculoskeletal health and lifestyle wellbeing.
Dr Laura Kudrna, Associate Professor in Health Research Methods at the University of Birmingham and the study’s lead applicant, said the project aims to strengthen support for smaller businesses that employ much of the UK workforce.
“There are many initiatives that support workplace health and wellbeing, but we need to ensure support is accessible, effective, and appropriately tailored, especially for smaller and medium-sized organisations, which employ the majority of the UK workforce.”
The recommendations will be tested with local authorities to measure their real-world impact on sickness absence and employees’ quality of life.
Professor Richard Lilford, Professor of Public Health at the University of Birmingham, said workplace health will play an increasingly important role in the UK’s economic future.
“As the dependency ratio becomes ever more challenging, and as larger portions of the potentially active workforce lay down their tools, the importance of health in the workplace rises, both for the health of the public, and for national prosperity.”
The research team plans to share its findings with government, employers and charities to help improve how workplace health initiatives are delivered across the UK.
