Long term absence is a business affecting issue for 50% of employers, with 27% claiming it as a ‘major headache', new research from Aviva has found.
Over half (61%) of employers say their primary concern when an employee goes on long term absence is the health and wellbeing of the employee. A further 23% are anxious about the pressure this absence would put on other employees' workloads.
While many employees are eager to return to the normality of the office, nearly one in five (17%) employers admitted when dealing with someone with a potentially life threatening condition, they would find it even harder to manage the needs of business and their duty of care to the employee; 14% said they would be anxious about finding a way to deal with the employee without upsetting them.
Steve Bridger, head of group risk at Aviva UK Health said: "The Government's recent decision to commission David Frost and Dame Carol Black to conduct an independent review of the sickness absence system is long overdue.
"Employees need care and consideration when they are unwell but, crucially they also need expert physical and psychological support to help them return to, and stay in work.
"The key to successful absence management is about prevention as well as treating problems once they arise."
The research found, while musculoskeletal problems still heavily contribute to work absence (27%), many companies now have to deal with highly emotive conditions such as cancer (19%), mental health issues (30%) and drink and drug related issues (16%). Nearly one in five employers (16%) have experienced staff with heart problems.
