During the last quarter of 2023, there was a peak of just over 2.84 million people in the UK not working due to long-term sickness absence, a considerable rise from just over two million in 2019.
Sickness absence rates are continuing to grow year on year with stress, depression or anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders accounting for the majority of days lost due to work-related ill health.
If not managed correctly, sickness absence can result in financial costs to the employer as well as disruption to colleagues in the workplace. The support EML provides to our clients in dealing with long-term sickness absence has never been in more demand. But why is this happening?
Well, there are several factors to explain this including workplace stress and burnout from heavy workloads, the aftereffects of the pandemic, and a lack of inadequate wellbeing strategies and mental health support from employers. There also seems to be less of a stigma around taking time off, particularly with increased awareness of mental health issues.
Whilst EML advise employers on how to deal with these situations, it undoubtedly makes sense for employers to take steps to prevent the conditions that cause the absenteeism in the first place.
As part of the government’s attempt to boost economic growth by improving the nation’s health, around 50 local authorities in England have received funding for free workplace NHS health checks. Seven local authorities in Greater Manchester have been given funds to pay for around 15,000 of these health checks, without any eligibility criteria other than being an employer that operates in Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford or Wigan.
Whilst our HR team can help you administer your absence management process, Greater Manchester employers can set about addressing the root cause of any absence issues and get involved in this scheme by contacting Ben Rydings, NHS Health Check Coordinator at The Big Life group.
If you’re an employer who needs assistance implementing strategies to help reduce sickness absence rates, get in touch on 01942 727200 or email enquiries@employeemanagement.co.uk for a no obligation chat. Alternatively, please visit our website to access a whole range of FREE absence management resources including persistent short-term absence and long-term ill health.