Worklessness and Mental Health
How Moco Coaching Can Help Businesses Support Their Staff
A recent analysis by the Centre for Social Justice revealed that over 40,000 people in the UK were signed off work every day by GPs in 2025, with an estimated 11 million fit notes issued over the year. Mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, account for a growing proportion of these absences.
While fit notes were introduced to help people stay connected to work through phased returns or adjustments, research shows that over 90% of notes certify people as unfit for work, often with minimal structured support. The consequences are serious: once someone is signed off and reliant on sickness-related benefits, the likelihood of returning to sustained employment falls sharply, particularly for young adults.
This isn’t just a statistic-it’s a human and organisational challenge. Being away from work for extended periods can intensify mental health struggles, erode confidence, and create a sense of isolation. Overstretched GPs, meanwhile, are asked to manage a crisis they are not equipped to solve.
Preventing Worklessness at the Source
The CSJ recommends shifting responsibility for fit notes to a dedicated Work and Health Service, combining occupational health, employment support and mental health services. The goal? To focus on what people can do rather than just what they cannot do, providing early interventions, adjustments, retraining opportunities and phased returns to work.
At Moco Coaching, we take this a step further by working directly with businesses and organisations to prevent long-term absence before it becomes a crisis. When a member of staff is off for long-term sickness, they are allocated a dedicated Moco support coach. Our team works closely with the individual to provide:
Personalised coaching to plan next steps and regain confidence
Counselling and mental health support to address anxiety, stress or depression
Health and wellness guidance to manage energy, recovery, and wellbeing
A clear pathway back into the workplace, tailored to the individual’s needs
This holistic approach ensures that staff receive all the support they need, not only to return to work but to thrive once they are back, protecting both their wellbeing and your organisation’s productivity.
Why This Matters for Businesses
Work-related absence, particularly due to mental health, is not just an individual issue-it impacts teams, workflow and organisational culture. Investing in early, structured support can reduce long-term absence, improve morale and foster a workplace where employees feel valued and cared for.
Take Action
If you are a business that is serious about your people and understands the importance of mental wellness in the workplace, Moco Coaching can work with you to protect your staff and reduce long-term absence.
Reach out today to explore how we can support your organisation and ensure your people have the coaching, counselling, and health resources they need to stay engaged, supported, and back at work as quickly and safely as possible.