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Sickness absence with a silver lining

Written by Carolyne Wahlen

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has just released its sickness figures for 2021. And they aren’t as bad as you might think.

In 2021 approximately 149.3 million working days were lost due to sickness or injury. Which sounds a lot but is the same as just 4.6 days per worker per year.

The most common reason for sickness absence was “Other” conditions, which accounted for 41.5 million lost days. This includes accidents, poisonings, infectious diseases, skin disorders, diabetes, and anything else not covered.  From April 2020, interviewers were advised to code any mention of Coronavirus as ‘Other’, when a supplementary question was asked.

Coronavirus absence accounted for 24% of all sickness absence.

There are four main reasons for sickness absence in the UK; these have shown the highest percentage of occurrences over most of the decade. The 2021 figures are:

  • minor illnesses (21.9%)
  • other conditions (26.9%)
  • musculoskeletal problems (13.4%)
  • coronavirus (24.0%)
  • mental health conditions (9.8%)

London had the lowest sickness absence rate in 2021 at 0.5 percentage points less than the UK average

If your staff are taking more than the national average, it is not necessarily a cause for concern. But you do need to know what they were off with and whether there is anything you could do at work to make them “less sick”.

Always make them self-certify (if fewer than seven calendar days off sick) and if they are off for longer, then make sure you have a Fit Note from their GP.

Don’t, as one company intended to, just ask for a Fit Note from those employees who they think are lying about their absence or aren’t performing.

Even if you only pay SSP, this is a government scheme which requires the correct paperwork for it to be paid. No Fit Note, no sick pay.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/labourproductivity/articles/sicknessabsenceinthelabourmarket/latest

 

Sick woman with flu, cold, fever and cough sitting on couch at home

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About Carolyne

Carolyne has run a successful business since 2003, is a well-respected speaker, and author of all things HR. There are many, many business owners across the country who have had their very stressful employee issues magically disappear because they’ve teamed up with Carolyne and Gap HR.

Why Gap HR?

We exist to help you stay legal, compliant and profitable, without shelling out for an in-house HR manager. Over 180 clients benefit from the experience and expertise of the Gap HR team.

 

Call us on 01491 598 600

Email me on cw@gaphr.co.uk

 

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  • If you are an employee and feel that you have been treated badly, then we strongly advise you to contact ACAS:

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“We have been using Gap HR for several years now. Carolyne and her team are professional and efficient and we would not hesitate in recommending them for small businesses. It is a great relief to know we are supported by them for our HR advice and paperwork is kept up to date.”

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“Carolyne and team continue to provide great support to our business, with quick and accurate responses to help with our various HR needs.”

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