A government-appointed back-to-work expert, Sir Charlie Mayfield, has suggested that employees who are off sick should stay in touch with their employers via phone, rather than relying only on emails and sick notes. Sir Charlie is leading the Keep Britain Working taskforce, which focuses on helping people stay in their jobs despite health challenges. His latest report estimates that health-related economic inactivity—such as people being unable to work due to illness—costs Britain about £212 million each year in benefit payments and lost productivity. The report calls for better support for workers with health conditions and disabilities, including the creation of a Workplace Health System to work alongside the National Health Service (NHS). Sir Charlie emphasized that phone communication is "one piece of the jigsaw" in helping workers return to work more effectively. He believes that regular contact can "rehumanise" the workplace and prevent people from leaving their jobs entirely. However, the report makes it clear that employees are not expected to discuss their symptoms in detail over the phone or that employers should offer sympathy for short-term illnesses. Instead, the focus is on maintaining open lines of communication to foster understanding and support. Sir Charlie criticized Britain’s current approach to workplace sickness, saying it is a "poor job" that leads to more people becoming disengaged and eventually leaving the workforce. The report states that around 300,000 people leave work each year due to health conditions, many of which could be prevented with better support. Both employees and employers often fear discussing long-term health issues, which can create a sense of distance and misunderstanding. This fear, according to Sir Charlie, increases the likelihood of workers leaving the labor force. Keeping more people in work, Sir Charlie said, could add billions to the economy and improve people's quality of life. He urged employers to do more to support their staff and for employees to engage in these efforts. Other ways for employers to assist workers include ensuring access to treatments like physiotherapy and talking therapies. The report highlights the importance of collaboration between employers and employees to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment.