Unwarranted long weekends taking toll on rising sickness absence costs

An increase in the number of days UK workers are absent due to sickness has been recorded for the first time in five years.

The Confederation of British Industry's (CBI's) latest figures show an extra 10 million days were lost last year, increasing the total absence figure in 2003 to 176 million. With employees each taking an average of 7.2 days off sick last year, this translates to a cost to businesses of £475 per employee. This means firms together paid out £11.6 billion in the UK to cover salaries, overtime and temporary cover resulting from absent staff.

The CBI claims that the increase in absence is not due to an increase in sickness, but is down to more people taking Mondays and Fridays off to extend their weekend. A further survey conducted by the CBI and AXA found that 78% of firms said there was either a definite or possible link between patterns of absence and the unauthorised extension of the weekend.

John Cridland, CBI deputy general, said: "Firms understand that the majority of absence is due to genuine minor sickness. But absence is a serious and expensive concern that is on the increase. Unwarranted long weekends and 'pulling sickies' are taking their toll on the UK's ability to absorb the enormous cost of absence."

A noticeable gap between absence levels in the public and private sectors was also found through the survey. Public sector workers take an average of two extra sick days than workers in the private sector, said the report.

Sharon Lyons, managing director of CIGNA Healthcare, said in light of the CBI's findings, employers should be encouraged to protect their business against absence costs. "Investing in a robust absence management approach will more than pay for itself through cost savings - saving not only on the direct costs of employee absence, but also the indirect costs - which totalled over £11 billion across the UK last year alone," she said.

Employee benefits consultant Towers Perrin, said the absence figures reported by the CBI did not reflect the full extent of the cost to UK business. It said the report failed to take into account 'hidden' costs of absence, such as ancillary costs, including HR and line manager support. If these costs were included in the absence cost calculations, the consulancy said it would double the figures quoted.