UK sick days hit 15-year high as mental health drives long-term absences

"Former Marks & Spencer boss Lord Stuart Rose warned the country is "on the edge of a crisis." Speaking to Times Radio, he argued that Britain risks losing its culture of workplace resilience. "We have arrived in a situation in Britain today where there is effectively no obligation to go to work. Absolutely none. I've worked for 50 years and taken less than three weeks of sickness pay. We need to have a little bit of grit. This nation needs everybody to lean in,""

"reveal absence levels have risen sharply since the pandemic, up from just over a week of sick leave per worker on average before 2020. The trend has been linked to an ageing workforce, a rise in long-term health conditions, and mounting mental health challenges. Mental health issues are now the leading cause of absences lasting four weeks or more, while stress is driving both short- and long-term absence."

"Rose stressed he was not dismissing genuine health conditions or the importance of mental health, but said the "balance" was wrong. Hybrid working has been cited as a double-edged factor. The CIPD found more than a third of organisations with remote workers saw a decline in absence levels, compared with 16 per cent reporting an increase. Employers suggested the ability to work from home made it easier for some employees to continue working while managing health conditions."

Absence levels among British workers have risen sharply since the pandemic, reaching the highest point in 15 years with staff absent for the equivalent of nearly two working weeks on average over the past 12 months. The increase follows a pre-2020 baseline of just over a week of sick leave per worker. The upward trend is linked to an ageing workforce, more long-term health conditions, and growing mental health challenges. Mental health issues now top causes of absences lasting four weeks or more, while stress drives both short- and long-term absence, affecting over 40% of employers. Hybrid working has mixed effects: some organisations report declines in absence where remote work is available, while others report increases.

Read at Business Matters