Further highlights of the survey include:
The average level of employee absence is 6.3 days per employee per year (2015: 6.9; 2014: 6.6; 2013: 7.6). Absence levels tend to be higher in larger organisations, regardless of sector.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of employers report they have observed ‘presenteeism’ – people coming into work unwell – within their organisation, and 3 in 10 (29%) say they’ve seen an increase in the last 12 months. Nearly half (48%) of organisations have taken steps to discourage presenteeism, a considerable increase on previous years (2015: 31%; 2014: 32%; 2013: 34%).
The most common top five causes of short-term absence are: Minor illness (95%), Stress (47%), musculoskeletal injuries (44%), Home/family/carer responsibilities (35%), and mental ill health (34%).
The most common top five causes of long-term absence are: Stress (53%), acute medical conditions (53%), mental ill health (49%), musculoskeletal injuries (44%) and back pain (35%).
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