ThriveBack Return to Work Programme – Employer Briefing

Date: 12 February 2026 (12:00-12:30 GMT)

Location: Virtual, MS Teams

Join Career Returners and Affinity Health at Work for an Employer Briefing introducing ThriveBack, their new partnership return-to-work programme.  This is the moment to rethink return-to-work planning for professionals – not as a compliance task, but as a strategic lever for reducing cost, building engagement, and improving long‑term workforce stability.

Context

Extended sickness absence is now at a 15‑year high in the UK, with absence costs rising rapidly. At the same time, tribunal claims are soaring, with disability-related legal claims increasing by 40% last year. The Keep Britain Working Review has recently called out the urgent need for employers to “do more” in supporting people back into work. Without the right support for returners and their line managers, employees returning from sickness absence are more likely to relapse, disengage, or leave altogether — creating avoidable attrition. The problem is particularly acute for returning professionals, where retention is a strategic priority.

About ThriveBack

ThriveBack combines Career Returners’ expertise in return-to-work coaching and community with Affinity Health at Work’s evidence-based absence management solutions. This comprehensive programme supports professionals to return confidently and sustainably after extended sickness absence and organisations to retain experienced talent.

About the Briefing

In this focused, practical briefing, we’ll explore:

  • The challenges UK employers are facing with sickness absence
  • The gap in current return-to-work support for professional employees
  • How ThriveBack fills this gap, complementing existing occupational health, EAP and HR processes
  • How employers can use ThriveBack to support their returning employees and line managers, enabling returning professionals to thrive back in their careers
  • How the programme can be extended to handle complex cases and a full strategic review

The session will be led by Hazel Little (CEO, Career Returners), Professor Jo Yarker (Managing Partner, Affinity Health at Work) and Karen Danker (Head of Coaching & Community, Career Returners), followed by Q&A.

Who it is for

HR leaders, People & Culture teams and Occupational Health professionals, with a UK focus. It is not aimed at coaches or returners to work.

How to Register 

Please complete the registration questions here. Joining instructions will be sent on 10 February.

If you are interested in finding out more about ThriveBack, but can’t attend this session, please contact Hazel or Saira on employers@careerreturners.com