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Feb. 9, 2026
University of Derby secures national funding for research into employee support
The University of Derby’s research to refine an online resource to help employers support staff with health issues has secured funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
This innovative research is part of a £1.8 million wider initiative from the NIHR aimed at reducing health-related economic inactivity, supporting the workforce and shaping policies to combat the UK’s rising unemployment due to long-term illness. The University of Derby project has received £95,000 to further develop and test ‘Health Work Toolbox’, an online resource designed to reduce leading causes of workplace sickness absence such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Dr Jenny Lunt is the Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology and Behaviour Change at the University of Derby and the lead researcher of the project, she says, “This funding allows us to build on previous research into the leading causes of sickness absence to refine the digital prototype ‘Health Work Toolbox’. Our aim is to provide employers with accessible, practical, evidence-based tools to support staff with health challenges.”
Dr Lunt continues, “By empowering line managers to provide timely support that encourages staying-at-work as well as earlier return-to-work, we believe that we can help reduce what should be avoidable sickness absence and contribute to better long-term health and employment outcomes.”
The Work-Health Hub at the University of Derby provides businesses with health and wellbeing support. It will deliver the project in collaboration with the University of Lancaster and renowned work-health experts. Long-term sickness in the UK now makes up 30% of total economic inactivity, and the NIHR’s Work and Health Research Initiative has continued to invest in research addressing these challenges since its launch in 2023, so far committing £10 million.
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Content added on 9th February 2026.
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