Well-being at work versus flexible benefits: how does the conflict impact on CFS/ME?

The Government?s Health Work and Wellbeing report produced the Fit for Work scheme to reduce state sickness benefits by placing people into work. Flexible employee benefits improve performance at work and reduce sickness absence. When highly active motivated employees contract Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/Myalgic Encaphalomyelitis or Encephalopathy (ME) they eventually lose the job on the grounds of incapability. They do not meet the criteria for employee benefits, nor for state benefits. This highlights a problem for well-being that is not being addressed by government or employers. Research is proposed for this group, using a framework with disability diversity champions, to help people with CFS/ME with job reviews and to explore flexible benefits to help them keep their jobs. It is anticipated that the research will identify cost savings and disability intelligence for the business and raise awareness of diversity in work and society, which may even reduce stress.