Survey shows employee absence costs UK economy £17bn

rehabilitation doctor

Employees took 180 million sick days last year, averaging 6.4 days each, according to the latest CBI/Pfizer Absence and Workplace Health Survey.

The rate of absence is the lowest since the survey began in 1987, and down slightly from 6.7 days per employee in 2007, the previous surveyed year.

According to the Confederation of British Industry the impact of staff absence is considerable, with the 180 million sick days costing employers about £16.8bn in 2009, plus indirect costs like reductions in customer service and delays to teamwork.

It added that ‘sickies' remain a problem with the senior HR staff surveyed at 241 public and private

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