
Employers face £21.6bn sickness bill as workplace wellbeing priorities shift, study finds
HCML said employers have an increasingly important role to play in supporting employee health.

HCML said employers have an increasingly important role to play in supporting employee health.

Data from Mamedica found that stigma and outdated workplace drug-testing policies are still discouraging employees from being open about legally prescribed treatments

An estimated 148.9 million working days were lost due to sickness or injury in 2024, a drop of 14.9 million from the previous year.

Younger workers aged 18 to 34 were most likely to take time off, at 16%, compared to 10% among 35 to 54-year-olds.

The survey found that 48.5% of employers reported reduced productivity due to sickness absences.

The survey by Office Freedom found men were more likely to use this excuse, with 34% admitting to the fabrication, compared to 25% of women.

Three in 10 (31%) employees cited the need for time away from the workplace as their excuse for taking a sick day.

Winckworth Sherwood research reveals increased acceptance of taking time off when unwell and calls for improved workplace wellbeing strategies to reduce sickness absence.

A TUC report reveals a significant rise in long-term sickness among women, criticising the government's response and calling for improved health services and job conditions.

NHS data shows UK nurses are taking significant time off due to stress, with the RCN calling for urgent governmental and leadership action to address the deepening workforce and mental health crises in the nursing profession.

The Prime Minister announces plans to overhaul the UK benefits system to better assess and support those who are fit to work, amid concerns over rising inactivity and the high cost of disability benefits.

A study by Indeed Flex shows one in three UK businesses are understaffed weekly due to recruitment difficulties and employee absences, increasing reliance on temporary workers to fill staffing gaps.
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