Exploring the trends in employee absence, effective
management strategies, and the benefits of a comprehensive absence
strategy workshop.
Employee absence is a significant challenge for businesses in
the UK, with recent statistics indicating a rise in absence rates
to the highest levels in a decade. Addressing this issue requires a
strategic approach to manage and mitigate the impact that absence
and presenteeism challenges are having on business productivity and
costs. This article explores the current trends in employee
absence, effective solutions, and the benefits of holding a
comprehensive absence strategy workshop.
Current trends in employee absence
In 2023, the average employee in the UK lost 7.8 days to
sickness, marking the highest absence rate in ten years. According
to the WTW Absence Survey 2023, the primary causes of short-term
absences include minor illnesses, while long-term absences are
often attributed to mental ill-health, musculoskeletal
