Wellbeing management | Workplace absences soar to highest level in over a decade, study finds

Organisations are being urged to create a supportive culture where employees can discuss health issues and access support, after a new report found that workplace absences have soared to the highest level in a decade.

UK employees were absent an average of 7.8 days over the past year according to new survey findings from the CIPD and Simplyhealth. This is the highest level we’ve reported in over a decade and two whole days more than the pre-pandemic rate of 5.8 days.

The upsurge in sickness absence comes at a time when employers are under increasing pressure with recruitment and retention challenges. As a result, the CIPD and Simplyhealth are calling on organisations to have an open and supportive culture where people can speak to line managers about health issues and access helpful support and adjustments such as flexible working options and health services.

The survey analysed trends in sickness absence and employee health and wellbeing among 918 organisations, representing 6.5 million employees.