An independent report commission by the Department for Work and Pensions has revealed that sickness is costing employers around £85bn a year, according to the BBC.
The review, led by former John Lewis chair Sir Charlie Mayfield, described the situation as an ‘economic crisis’, citing lost productivity and sick pay as key contributors to the wider financial impact. Sir Mayfield noted that rising sickness levels are being driven by a “surge” in mental health issues among younger people, alongside musculoskeletal problems, aches and joint pain in older workers that are leading many to leave the workforce.
Sir Mayfield commented, “For employers, sickness and staff turnover bring disruption, cost and lost experience. For the country, it means weaker growth, higher welfare spending and greater pressure on the NHS.”
As the Government introduces its Employment Rights Bill and calls for greater investment in workplace health, leaders across the aesthetics sector are warning that a specialty already known for its physical and high-pressure demands must prioritise staff wellbeing. Many practitioners perform highly skilled, hands-on work that can contribute to back, shoulder and joint strain.
Sadie Van Sanden Cooke, COO of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), commented, “At BCAM wellbeing starts with genuinely looking after one another. We encourage open conversations, mutual support and a healthy-work life. We keep a close eye on workloads through regular check-ins, open-door communication and a collaborative approach where the support office works together as a true team. If someone feels stretched, we share tasks and adjust priorities so no one feels overwhelmed. A culture of wellbeing at BCAM means feeling valued, supported and included every day.”
Aesthetic practitioner and clinic owner, Dr Aggie Zatonska, commented, “In my clinic, we provide additional resources and specific techniques (relaxation, breathing) to use when there are changes in psychical or mental wellbeing since these can be early signs of distress and emotional build-up. For burnout, just like skin health, prevention is key. Management of your mental energy is essential to prevention of burnout. Within our practice, we focus on prevention.”