May 05, 2011
According to current research, Brits take on average ten unscheduled days’ off work each year, costing the nation’s business more than £32 billion per annum in lost productivity.
Sickness accounts for around 80% of absence, which also covers jury service and compassionate leave, but the latest absenteeism survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) found that employee days off in the UK are twice that of the US and Asia.
And while £32 billion may seem like a staggering figure, PwC claims it could be ever higher as it reflects direct costs of absence and does not take into account staff replacement costs.
“Absenteeism is a malaise for British business. With sickness accounting for the lion’s share of absence, the question for employers is what can be done to improve health, morale and motivation,” said Richard Phelps, HR Consulting Partner at PwC.
“The line between ‘sickie’ and ‘sickness’ can be blurred, with disenchantment at work sometimes exacerbating medical conditions or preventing a speedy return.”
Experts claim that less stringent labour laws could address the issue, and with the availability of flexible working practices becoming more common, the damage to the UK’s economy should lessen in the future.
“Keeping staff engaged is arguably the biggest part of the battle, but you also need clear policies in place to make it less appealing for people to take unwarranted leave, while protecting those people with genuine illness,” added Mr Phelps.
