The Business Case for Investing in Proactive MSK Health Programs

Introduction

Musculoskeletal (MSK) health issues, from back pain to repetitive strain injuries, are costing UK businesses billions every year in lost productivity, sickness absence, and healthcare costs.

Yet most companies remain reactive, only addressing MSK injuries after they cause disruption. Forward-thinking businesses are now realising that investing in proactive MSK health programs isn’t just good for employee wellbeing, it’s a smart financial decision.

Let’s break down why.

Reducing Absence Costs

Work-related MSK disorders are the single biggest cause of work absences in the UK.According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive, 2023):

• 40% of all work-related ill-health is MSK-related.

• In 2023 alone, 7.3 million working days were lost due to MSK conditions.

Average absence costs:

• The average direct cost of sickness absence per employee is around £550–£700 per year (CIPD, 2024).

• Indirect costs (overtime, temporary cover, management time) can push this figure 2–3x higher.

  
  

Impact of proactive MSK programs:Companies implementing early intervention physiotherapy, ergonomic assessments, and educational programs have reported:

• 25–45% reduction in MSK-related absence

• Faster return-to-work times post-injury

• Decreased reliance on long-term sick pay and rehabilitation programs

Edicia Example: An OH client implementing early MSK triage and rapid-access physiotherapy cut MSK absence days by 32% within 12 months, saving an estimated £95,000 across a 250-person workforce.

Lowering Insurance Premiums and Claims

Employers' liability insurance and private medical insurance (PMI) costs are significantly affected by MSK claims. High rates of MSK-related absence and treatment drive up renewal premiums.

Proactive MSK initiatives reduce insurance risk by:

• Reducing the volume and severity of MSK claims

• Demonstrating to insurers a strong "risk management" approach

• Improving loss ratios (claims paid vs premiums collected)

Edicia Evidence: Some PMI providers now offer premium discounts of 5–15% for companies that run validated wellbeing, physiotherapy access, and ergonomic support programs.

Investing £20–30 per employee annually in MSK prevention can yield insurance savings worth 5–10x that investment, even before factoring in other productivity gains.

Boosting Productivity and Presenteeism

Beyond absence, presenteeism (working while injured or unwell) is a hidden productivity killer.

A study in Occupational Medicine (2022) found:

• Employees working through MSK pain are 30% less productive than healthy colleagues.

• MSK-related presenteeism often goes unreported but results in larger productivity losses than absence alone.

  
  

Proactive MSK health programs improve:

• Early identification of MSK symptoms

• Quick intervention (before full-blown injuries develop)

• Better workstation design and manual handling practices

• Employee confidence in self-management strategies

  
  

Impact:

• Higher work output per employee

• Reduced errors, rework, and injury aggravation

• Increased employee engagement and retention

  
  

Strengthening Employer Brand and Talent Retention

Employees today, especially in competitive industries, expect employers to prioritise their wellbeing.Proactive MSK health support signals that an organisation genuinely cares about physical health, not just compliance.

Benefits include:

• Improved employee morale

• Stronger employer brand in recruitment markets

• Higher retention rates, reducing costly turnover and onboarding expenses

  
  

In a 2023 Workplace Wellness Survey, 68% of employees said access to physical health programs would influence their decision to stay longer with an employer.

Calculating the ROI

The ROI on proactive MSK programs is increasingly clear:

Investment	Financial Return
£25–£50 per employee/year in MSK prevention programs	£200–£600 per employee/year in absence savings, insurance reductions, and productivity gains

Many companies achieve 3–5x ROI within the first 18 months, based purely on direct absence and insurance savings, before even considering the value of improved morale, brand reputation, and talent retention.

MSK conditions aren't going away, in fact, with increasingly sedentary workforces and aging populations, the risks are growing.

Private companies that invest proactively in MSK health are:

• Saving substantial money on absence and insurance

• Boosting workforce productivity and wellbeing

• Building stronger, future-proof employer brands

  
  

In 2025 and beyond, proactive MSK management will be a business essential, not a luxury.

If your organisation isn’t moving yet, you’re already falling behind.

Interested in building a proactive MSK program for your company? Contact Edicia today to explore how we can help design evidence-based solutions that deliver real financial and human outcomes.