UK SMEs lose £29bn to employee sickness: Unum UK

“A clear opportunity for smarter policy”

Jaskeet Briah
clock • 3 min read

Small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK have lost £29 billion per year due to employee sickness, according to Unum UK.

The employee benefits provider surveyed 2,010 UK business decision-makers who are employed within organisations with 3-249 employees. Unum said that wellbeing remains "chronically underfunded", with its findings showing that 27% of SMEs and 47% of micro businesses had no wellbeing budget at all. This comes as 6% of SMEs and 3% of micro businesses agreed that government guidance on their wellbeing responsibilities is clear. Mark Till, CEO, Unum UK, said: "SMEs losing £29bn a year to sickness-related productivity drops should be a serious wake-up call and a clear opportunity for smar...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Employee Benefits

Health Shield Wellbeing boosts menopause support

Health Shield Wellbeing boosts menopause support

Partnership with My Menopause Centre

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 February 2026 • 1 min read
Seven in 10 employees pretending to be well at work

Seven in 10 employees pretending to be well at work

Money worries is top reason for hiding health concerns

Jaskeet Briah
clock 04 February 2026 • 2 min read
Chronic conditions are growing issue for employers

Chronic conditions are growing issue for employers

55% to renegotiate terms or switch benefit providers

Jaskeet Briah
clock 28 January 2026 • 2 min read