Workplace absence rates down

The 180 million sick days were found to cost employers about £16.8bn in 2009, plus indirect costs like reductions in customer service and delays to teamwork.

The survey found that so-called 'sickies' remain a problem. The senior HR staff surveyed at 241 public and private-sector organisations estimated that around 15%, or 27 million sick days weren't genuine, and cost the country £2.5bn a year.

The survey also found that larger organisations had higher rates of absence than small ones. For companies with 5,000 or more staff the average rate was 6.6 days per year, and for those with 500 to 4,999 it was 6.7 days. However, for organisations with fewer than 50, and between 50 and 199 staff it was five days, and for those with 200 to 499 it was 5.8 days.

Rates of absence were higher among manual workers, averaging 7.2 days per year, than non-manual workers, averaging 5.3 days.

Katja Hall, CBI Director of Employment Policy, said:

"The rate of employee absence has come down, but it still costs the economy billions of pounds a year. If absence levels across the board could be reduced by 10%, the economy would see annual savings of just under £1.7bn.

"Unfortunately, bogus sick days remain a problem, and are unfair on hard-working colleagues and employers alike.

"Although the rate of employee absence has fallen in the public sector, it is still a lot higher than in the private sector, and this issue should be addressed, especially given that the public finances are strained. We estimate that £5.5bn could be saved by 2015-16 if the public sector matched the private sector’s absence rate.

"Improved rehabilitation and workplace health policies are a key part of achieving this, but so is ensuring that absence, where it occurs, is justified."

Although it only accounted for 5% of absences, long-term absence accounted for 20% of lost days in the private sector and 36% in the public sector. Back pain and mental health issues are key causes of long-term absence, according to the survey.

Dr Berkeley Phillips, UK Medical Director, Pfizer Ltd said:

“We have long known that mental health, back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders are the leading causes of long-term absence, and this year’s CBI report reinforces this. Whilst employers view loss of productivity as the main impact of absence, as this report highlights, the economic consequences stretch much further and as such, we as a society, need to do more to advance health and wellness at every stage of life.”

The survey showed that 95% of organisations had a formal absence policy – a rise of ten percentage points compared with 2007.

Asked what the government could do to help, responses were focused on doctors, with 63% of employers wanting to see better occupational health training for GPs, 56% wanting to see better working relationships between GPs and occupational health professionals, and 41% wanting more flexible GP working hours.

The 'fit note' was brought in to replace sick notes in April this year, to help ensure that GPs, employers and staff focus on what an employee can do, not what they can’t. In the survey, 76% said this initiative would help people get back to work.

Dr Phillips concluded:

“This report, which unites the causes and consequences of absence together with an examination of proactive management strategies is important. It mirrors a change in the attitude of both employers and policymakers, who are recognising the direct and indirect benefits of investment in the health and wellbeing of the UK workforce.”