Work and health policy forum

This forum informs and debates UK government policy on disability, work, and health and how it affects employers. It is currently working on the UK Government’s health, benefits, and employment-related policies, including the development of the Employment Rights Bill and the ‘Keep Britain Working’ employer review. The forum also shares how to most effectively absorb policy and legislation in this area into everyday workplace practices.

This forum is leading BDF’s work on the Keep Britain Working employer review. Visit our Keep Britain Working review page here.

Meeting schedule

This forum meets on the first Thursday of each month (with breaks during the summer months) online via Microsoft Teams.

Our schedule for 2025 is as follows:

• April: The current policy landscape of work and health policy in the UK and what employers should be doing now.
• May: The Government’s consultation on Keep Britain Working, including disability leave, sickness-related absences, and returning to work.
• June: (Forum meeting postponed for Keep Britain Working submission events).
• July: Workplace adjustments and workplace health interventions.
• August: (No meeting for summer holidays).
• September: Government policy update and discussion on the proposal to introduce a two-week deadline on workplace adjustments decisions.
• October: Employment Rights Bill and what it means for work and health.
• November: Update and discussion on the Keep Britain Working Review.

Who this forum is for

This forum is for anyone involved managing employees and advising managers on employee health, adjustments and absences in organisations. The group consists of managers and advisers working in diversity and inclusion, adjustments, occupational health, health and safety, and workplace wellbeing teams. Partner and Member organisations only.

How to join

Please contact your BDF Business Partner who will sign you up. For further questions, you can contact policy@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk