Digital claims help employers step in earlier as long-term absences rise, says Unum UK

Unum UK recorded a rise in long-term absence and saw nearly one in four Group Income Protection claims submitted through UnumSync, its digital employer platform, six months after launch. 

In 2025, Unum paid £538m in group risk and health claims. 

The vocational rehabilitation team supported over 97% of people back to work or reached an agreed outcome.

Paula Coffey, director of claims, rehabilitation and medical services at Unum UK, said: “Long-term sickness absence has reached record highs, but we’re now seeing a clear move towards modern claims and absence management journeys, which help employers act sooner. 

“In 2025, Unum paid £538 million in group risk and health claims. And for the third year running, our Vocational Rehabilitation team helped 97% of people get back to work or reach an agreed outcome. 

“As claim volumes and complexity grow, early and sustained employer engagement is critical to positive outcomes.”

Feedback from Unum’s wellbeing proposition, Help@hand, showed three-quarters of users said their health concerns were resolved more quickly than by booking care elsewhere, and nearly two-thirds said access to a remote GP helped reduce time away from work.

Coffey added: “Reflecting the principles set out in the Keep Britain Working Review and as the UK workplace continues to evolve, digitally led absence management and claims journeys will play a defining role in how employers respond to long term absence.