Employment Services Employers Guide

The Essex Employment Retention Service is free to the user and commissioned by Essex County Council. Mental health difficulties are one of the main reasons why people miss and struggle at work. So, it is important to connect with and support employees facing these difficulties. The team will support the employee and the employer, ensuring better communication helping them return to work.

What we do

• The Employment Retention Specialist will work proactively with the client and employer to achieve a healthy, safe and sustainable employment outcome.
• There will be an assessment meeting with the individual to gain an understanding of the issues they are facing and how this is affecting work.
• Support to develop effective return-to-work strategies, including reasonable adjustments, phased returns and support for employers to meet the needs of the individual.
• Support people facing barriers to employment realise their potential to the mutual benefit of the employer.
• Introducing a Wellness Action Plan (WAP) that would provide a plan for the employer and employee to help them stay well going forward.
• Reduce overall sickness absence due to mental ill health, successfully increase the number of people returning to work who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
• Facilitate independent support, advice and guidance for employers and their staff relating to a range of health and employment matters, and offer impartial and confidential advice to identify solutions to work-related issues, helping to retain valuable staff.
• Raise awareness, and improve understanding, of mental health in the workplace.