News
Nearly one in three workers admit taking a sick day to go on holiday, survey finds
Data from SMC Coach Hire revealed that millennials were the biggest culprits, with 49% saying they had pulled a sickie to extend annual leave.
Sickness Absences
News
Digital claims help employers step in earlier as long-term absences rise, says Unum UK
Unum UK recorded a rise in long-term absence and saw nearly one in four Group Income Protection claims submitted through UnumSync.
News
Government pilots new fit note models to tackle rising work absences
The pilots will trial personalised ‘stay in work’ and ‘return to work’ plans for workers who fall ill, offering support through clinical and non-clinical practitioners.
News
A third of workplace sickness absence linked to mental health, finds Acas
Employers said the most common reason for absence was minor illnesses like coughs, colds and flu, with 62% stating this.
Compensation & Benefits
Workplace illness drives £861m in sick pay costs across England, analysis finds
Women lost 16.6 million days to work-related illness, around 500,000 more than men, according to health and safety experts at Protecting.co.uk.
News
Workplace illness driving £861m in sick pay costs as absences reach decade high, analysis finds
According to analysis by Protecting.co.uk day-to-day illness, including stress-related conditions, has a greater financial impact on employers than workplace accidents.
News
Over a quarter of Brits go to work sick due to guilt, research finds
Data from Coffee Friend found younger workers were the most likely to show up ill, with nearly 30% of 25 to 34-year-olds saying they often worked through illness.
Lead Story
Half of workers have taken extended sick leave, finds The Exeter
The report found that absences were most common among men, with 49% saying they had taken extended time off, and 18% of those in the past year.
Health & Wellbeing
32% of employers do not measure the impact of sickness absence – GRiD
Figures from previous years showed 61% measured absence in 2025, 59% in 2023, 63% in both 2022 and 2021, and 65% in 2020.
Health & Wellbeing
49% of sick days linked to mental or emotional exhaustion – Employment Hero
Data showed that younger workers were more likely to use sick days for stress, while older workers tended to use them for personal errands.
News
Digital health services could help solve employee absence crisis, says Unum UK
Research found that digital health services resolved concerns faster, reduced absence and empowered employees to manage their wellbeing.
News
Upgraded workplace tech could save firms nine sick days per worker, study finds
According to research by BT Business, 71% of workers said innovations like AI would drive efficiency, and 66% believe it will improve work-life balance.