The Work Foundation | Fit for Work

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David Shoesmith
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Fit for Work

Launched in 2007, this research has demonstrated that improvements in early intervention, treatment and return to work practices could help people of working age with even severe musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) stay in work. It found that there were often real health benefits associated with staying in or returning to work, but that many employers, clinicians and sometimes employees felt that temporary or permanent withdrawal from employment was the only option.

The current aim of the project is to build on the research findings to stimulate debate, develop policy and practice in Europe and beyond and to ensure that the early diagnosis and treatment of workers with MSDs takes into account the positive health impact of high-quality employment on rehabilitation and in some cases recovery.

Related Reports

Healthy Work: Evidence into Action
Drawing on expertise of The Work Foundation, this report shows how employers, government and health services can better support the health of UK workers.

Helen Vaughan-Jones and Leela Barham
29 June 2010

Fit for Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders in the European Workforce
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for 49% of workplace absences. This report is the culmination of a major study across 25 countries in the EU and beyond. It examines the causes of MSDs and assesses what can be done to reduce their devastating impact.

Stephen Bevan, Tatiana Quadrello, Robin McGee, Michelle Mahdon, Anna Vavrovsky, Leela Barham
30 September 2009

Fit for work?
The report argues that early intervention and an emphasis on keeping sufferers in work wherever possible are likely to boost national productivity and help reduce people claiming Incapacity Benefit

Stephen Bevan, Eleanor Passmore and Michelle Mahdon
01 September 2007

Related Blogs

Fit for Work Down Under
The influence of Fit for Work research now extends far beyond Europe with our study of MSDs in Australia published on 13 May.

Stephen Bevan
14 May 2012

The Launch of Fit for Work Latvia
The Fit for Work project has launched today (28 March 2012) in Riga by Karlis Shadurskis, patron, and Member of European Parliament.

Ksenia Zheltoukhova
28 March 2012

Fit for Work travels to Japan
Since 2007 the Work Foundation’s Fit for Work initiative has examined the impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on individuals, organisations and societies.

Ksenia Zheltoukhova
22 March 2012