Illness out of control | National sickie day? HR should be concerned about the entire year

The first Monday of February has long been dubbed "national sickie day", a day when employees supposedly take the most sick leave.

However, the reality is far more concerning than a single day of absenteeism. Recent data paints a troubling picture of a prolonged period of illness plaguing the workforce, warranting serious attention from HR.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the UK is facing a significant challenge with inactivity due to long-term sickness. The number of individuals classified as not seeking work due to health issues has risen to 2.8 million, marking a one-third increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

What's more alarming is that long-term sickness now accounts for over 30% of inactivity in the labour market.