On the path to recovery?: CBI/Pfizer absence and workplace health survey 2010

Katja Hall

Director of Employment Policy,

CBI

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Downward trend in days absence

● The average days absence was 6.4 days in 2009, down from 6.7 days in 2007

● Indicates that 180 million working days were lost

● Absence remains the highest amongst manual workers and in large organisations

● Absence was on average 2.5 days higher in the public sector

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The cost of absence

● The average cost of absence was £595 per employee in 2009

● Loss of productivity is seen as the single most important cost of employee absence

● Employee absence cost the UK economy £16.8bn

● Average costs varied amongst sectors and were highest in the public sector

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Drivers of absence

● Minor illness accounts for most absence from work

● Short term absence accounts for more than 9 in 10 of all absence spells

● Back pain and non-work related stress were key drivers on long-term absence

● While long-term absence accounts for less than one in ten of all spells of absence, it accounts for more than a fifth of all working time lost.

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Non-genuine sickness

● Employers estimate that 15% of absence in their organisation is non-genuine

● This equates to 27 million working days lost, at a cost of £2.5bn to UK economy

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Absence management policies: what works?

● Proactive employee health and wellbeing policies and practices are now widespread

● Employers believe the role of line manger is crucial

● Improving GP understanding of workplace health is a priority

● Employers welcome the new fit note

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Employee health and wellbeing

● Three quarters of employers operate a wellbeing policy

● Business case for employee health and wellbeing policies is seen in its positive impact on employee attendance

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Summary

● Fall in the average number of days absence

● Still a significant cost to the UK economy

● Employers taking a proactive approach to absence management

● Rise in number of employers investing in the health and wellbeing of their employees