Supporting People to Stay Well at Work
Why WorkWell’s Expansion Matters
In 2026, the UK Government announced a major expansion of WorkWell, a health-and-employment support service designed to help people with health conditions stay in work or return to work sooner and with better support. This programme is now being rolled out across all of England, following a successful pilot that supported more than 25,000 people.
This expansion signals a shift away from reactive absence management towards early intervention and holistic support - and it aligns closely with the approach we champion at Moco Coaching: meeting people where they are and helping them stay connected to meaningful, sustainable work.
The Scale of the Challenge in the UK
Long-term sickness and absence from work are not minor issues - they’re a major economic and wellbeing challenge in the UK:
Huge Numbers Out of Work Due to ill Health
An estimated 2.8 million people in the UK were out of work because of long-term sickness as their main reason for inactivity in 2025 - the most common cause of economic inactivity.
Absence Is Rising
Workplace absence levels have also increased significantly. UK employees took on average 9.4 days off sick per year, nearly two working weeks - up from 7.8 days in 2023 and 5.8 days before the pandemic. Mental ill health, stress and musculoskeletal conditions are among the top drivers of this absence.
People Work Even When They’re Unwell
Research shows that 58% of employees worked despite not feeling well enough to do so over the past year - highlighting how workplaces and people struggle with chronic health pressures.
These trends underline why early, integrated support - instead of leaving people to navigate health and work challenges alone - is vital.
What WorkWell Aims to Do
WorkWell is designed to provide early, personalised, health-led support that connects individuals with:
Physiotherapy and musculoskeletal support
Mental health interventions and counselling
Workplace adjustment advice
Ongoing condition management
Return-to-work planning
It is part of the Pathways to Work offer and works in partnership with the NHS, local authorities, Jobcentre Plus and community services to create a genuinely joined-up support system.
Crucially, participants don’t need to be claiming government benefits to access WorkWell. Support can be accessed through employer referrals, GP referrals, Jobcentre Plus, local services or self-referral - a “no wrong door” approach that respects people’s circumstances and reduces barriers to help.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Many people currently leave work or struggle to return simply because support arrives too late. Early intervention prevents this pattern by:
Supporting people before health issues force longer absence
Providing tailored physical and psychological support
Helping employers explore reasonable workplace adjustments
Maintaining people’s confidence, identity and connection to work
For employers, this approach can reduce long-term absence, boost retention and help teams feel supported rather than isolated.
Real Impact: What the Pilot Showed
During the pilot:
Over 25,000 people were supported to stay in or re-enter work.
Many of those supported cited mental health as a primary barrier - a reminder that workplace wellbeing isn’t just about physical health.
The support helped people build confidence, structure and sustainable routines that kept them connected to employment.
A participant shared how having consistent support from a WorkWell adviser gave her direction, improved her balance between health and work, and helped her stay with her employer.
What This Means for Workplaces
WorkWell’s expansion reflects a deeper understanding that work and health are inseparable - and that both matter for individual and organisational wellbeing.
At MOCO Coaching, our work echoes this philosophy. We support organisations to:
Embed early intervention and wellbeing into culture
Design compassionate return-to-work pathways
Coach individuals in ways that build resilience, confidence and sustainable habits
National programmes like WorkWell provide important infrastructure, but day-to-day support, psychological safety and meaningful workplace conversations are equally crucial.
A Positive Step Forward - With More to Do
The expansion of WorkWell is an encouraging development for employers, employees and the wider labour market. It recognises that:
✔ People shouldn’t have to choose between health and work
✔ Early, tailored support works better than reactive absence management
✔ Health and employment support should be joined up and accessible
As policymakers, health services and workplaces continue to adapt, the focus should remain on supporting people holistically, reducing barriers to staying in work and building environments where people are genuinely able to thrive.
The MOCO Coaching Takeaway
WorkWell represents a positive shift in how health and work support can be delivered - and it aligns with what we see every day:
👉 Early, human-centred support prevents absence becoming long-term
👉 Wellbeing support benefits individuals and organisations
👉 Coaching, counselling and practical adjustments belong together
If your organisation is looking to strengthen how it supports people struggling with health challenges, get in touch - and let’s build pathways that help people stay well and engaged at work.