Britain is facing a worsening crisis of workplace absence, with new data showing that workers are now taking almost two full working weeks off sick every year.
Figures from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reveal that employees were off for an average of 9.4 days over the past 12 months – the highest rate of absence since records began in 2010. By contrast, in 2023 the average was 7.8 days, while before the pandemic the figure had dropped as low as 5.8 days.
The new statistics highlight a growing concern for both employers and policymakers. With absence levels rising, the pressure is mounting on businesses already grappling with staffing shortages and on governments managing an overstretched benefits system, with the hidden cost of rising workplace sickness costing £100 Billion a year.
Public sector hit hardest
The CIPD survey of more than 1,100 employers indicates that the public sector has borne the brunt of the surge in sickness absence. Public sector employees averaged 13.3 days off – close to three full working weeks – compared with 9.1 days in the private sector.
The report identifies mental health issues as a leading factor, particularly in longer-term absences. While minor illnesses remain the most common reason for short-term absence, mental ill health now represents the biggest cause of people being away from work for extended periods, with typical absences lasting four weeks or more.
Rachel Suff, senior wellbeing adviser at the CIPD, said employers must do more to support the health of their workforce:
“As people are working and living longer, employers need to create workplaces that are supportive and help staff manage their health. Since mental ill health is a leading cause of absence, taking targeted action to help employees deal with work-related stress and personal challenges is crucial.”
The role of working from home
The report also raises questions about the impact of remote working. While working from home has, in some cases, helped reduce absence rates, employers have also noticed a rise in mental health issues among staff not physically present in the workplace.
The challenge, according to the CIPD, is that symptoms of stress or poor mental health may be less visible when employees are working remotely. This makes early intervention more difficult and increases the risk of longer-term absence.
As highlighted in our recent article Good health in the workplace: Why wellbeing at work matters more than ever, the importance of workplace wellbeing strategies cannot be overstated. With absence rates rising and mental health issues increasingly at the forefront, organisations must prioritise initiatives that strengthen staff resilience, improve communication, and ensure employees have access to timely support.
A growing challenge for the UK workforce
The surge in sickness absences reflects wider social and economic pressures. The pandemic shifted patterns of work, disrupted routines, and left many with ongoing health challenges. Added to this, the rising cost of living and workplace stress have created a climate where illness and burnout are more likely.
Employers now face the dual challenge of maintaining productivity while ensuring that staff health remains a priority. For many businesses, the cost of sickness absence is becoming unsustainable, while employees themselves are paying the price through reduced wellbeing and career disruption just as the government announced back in March, the landmark sick pay reforms for low paid workers.
As the UK navigates this rising tide of sick notes, the findings from the CIPD underline the need for a balanced approach that addresses both short-term and long-term health challenges. Without targeted support, the strain on workers, employers, and the wider economy will only intensify.
