Call for Midlands HR professionals to take part in study

HR professionals across the Midlands are being encouraged to share their thoughts on how COVID-19 has affected long-term sick leave in their workplaces to help inform policy changes in the future.

The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP) is seeking to interview around 40 HR professionals working for businesses of all sizes and sectors about how the pandemic has changed their approach to managing long-term sick leave.

The interviews will form part of MHPP’s PROWORK pilot trial – which aims to assess whether targeted intervention will help those on long-term sick leave return to work more quickly and in a healthier state.

Data from the interviews will then be used to help inform MHPP’s recommendations to policymakers on how HR practices can be improved to help those on long-term sick leave.

The interviews are being led by academics from Loughborough University together with Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham – which are all partners of MHPP.

They will involve a video chat or phone call lasting around 30 to 45 minutes, and will be arranged at a convenient time for the interviewee.

Interviews will be held over the summer and into the early autumn, so HR professionals can register their interest now and have the interview later on if suitable.

Individuals who participate will receive access to free evidence-based return to work toolkits and research opportunities to improve employee wellbeing.

Kate Godfree