Watch our short video on statistics on long term sickness absence for more detail
one in 25 employees will have a long term sickness absence
Those absent with mental health problems are less likely to return
The longer the absence, the less chance of return
Last year, one in 25 people in employment had a spell of long term sickness absence. That’s generally classed as anything over 4 weeks absence.
It’s estimated that these absences costs UK employers more than £9 billion. That’s in sick pay and other associated costs like recruitment, temporary worker wages and admin. Plus, employees on long term sick still accrue holiday pay.
Whilst mental health is not yet the biggest cause, those absent due to mental health are usually less likely to return to work.
Generally statistics show that an employee how is absent for four weeks is 94% likely to return, whereas an employee who is absent for more than nine months is only 63% likely to return. So it’s really important to keep communication open with employees on long term sick and see how you can support them back to work.
Do you have questions about long term sickness absence?
Give us a call at CUBE HR, we’ll be happy to advise you and we have policies and templates available to meet every HR need.
Why not check out our other blog on the same topic Long Term Sick – 3 Things You Need to Know
You can also watch a range of other videos on our YouTube channel
