Sick days at record low - but is presenteeism to blame?

The amount of sick days British workers are taking have hit a record low.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), employees took an average of 4.1 sickness absence days in 2017, compared to 7.2 days in 1993.

The true cause of reduced sickness absence is unclear, with the ONS saying it could be a result of several factors, including; private sector workers less likely to be paid for periods of illness; presenteeism (more people going in despite being ill) or general improvement in healthy life expectancy.

However, HR experts believe the stats are being pumped by presenteeism.