Introduction
With more people using weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, employers are starting to face new questions about workplace wellbeing. One of the most common is this: how should businesses respond when employees experience side effects that affect their ability to work?
It is a topic that touches on health, fairness and company culture. Let us take a closer look.
Understanding Sick Pay and Medication Side Effects
Weight loss medication is often prescribed for serious health conditions, not just for appearance. Many people take these treatments to manage conditions such as type 2 diabetes, reduce obesity related risks or improve long term health. But side effects like nausea, fatigue or dizziness can make it difficult to work.
If someone is genuinely unwell due to prescribed medication, they may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay. Whether an organisation chooses to offer anything beyond that is a matter for its own policies and culture.
Equally, the company would need to decide how they wish to handle absences related to weight loss medication if it is taken for cosmetic purposes. Having a clear and consistent approach in your policies can help avoid confusion or unintended bias.
Legal Considerations for UK Employers
In the UK, Statutory Sick Pay is available to eligible employees who are too ill to work, regardless of the cause. That includes side effects from prescribed medication such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro.
Some businesses offer enhanced sick pay schemes, but there is no legal requirement to do so. What matters most is that policies are applied fairly and consistently, and that employers avoid discrimination. If an employee is taking weight loss medication as part of a treatment plan for a recognised medical condition, it is important to handle the situation with care and sensitivity.
Creating a Supportive Workplace Culture
This issue is not just about pay. It is about how businesses support their people through health challenges. Clear communication, consistent policies and a compassionate approach can make a big difference.
Employers should review their sickness absence procedures and make sure they are fit for purpose. That might mean updating guidance, training managers or simply having open conversations with staff.
How We Can Help
If you are unsure how to approach this, we can support you in several ways:
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Policy Reviews and Updates
We can help you review and update your sickness absence policy to reflect modern health challenges, including the use of weight loss medication. -
Staff Handbooks
We can assist in drafting or revising your employee handbook to ensure it clearly outlines your approach to sick pay, wellbeing and medical treatment. -
Manager Training
We offer training for line managers to help them handle sensitive health conversations confidently and consistently. -
Culture and Communication Support
We work with businesses to build inclusive, compassionate cultures where staff feel supported and understood, especially when dealing with health related issues. -
HR Advice and Employment Law Guidance
Our team can advise on the legal implications of sick pay decisions and help you stay compliant with UK employment law.
Final Thoughts
Weight loss medication is likely to become more common in the years ahead. With that comes the need for thoughtful HR policies that reflect the realities of modern health and work.
Whether a business chooses to offer Statutory Sick Pay or enhanced sick pay, the key is to communicate clearly, apply policies consistently and support employees with empathy and fairness.
The key takeaway here is to be ahead of the curve. Make sure all the relevant policies are in place ahead of time so they can be applied fairly and consistently. That way, when situations arise, your business is ready to respond with confidence and care.
Call to Action
Need help reviewing your sick pay policy or updating your staff handbook? Our HR experts are here to support you with practical advice, tailored documents and culture building strategies. Get in touch today to start a conversation that supports your people and protects your business.
Tell
We at Tell reached out to Bespoke HR by the end of 2022 for their staff review service, and I can confidently say it was one of the greatest decisions we’ve made lately for our business.
Initially, we reached out to them for their staff appraisal service, as we wanted to ensure that our team was performing at its highest level. However, as we began working with them, we quickly realised that they could help us with much more than just that.
Lauren, who works directly with us, was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of human resources, including payroll and policy development. She was able to provide us with invaluable guidance and support in these areas, which helped us to streamline our operations and improve our overall performance.
What I appreciated most about working with Bespoke HR was their ability to tailor their services to meet our specific needs. They took the time to understand our business and then provided us with a customised plan that addressed only the things we need the most at this time, adapting as we go.