UK businesses are experiencing financial challenges due to employee sickness absence. Long-term sick leave now costs employers an average of £20,735 per employee, factoring in hidden and direct expenses, including temporary staffing and increased workloads. Short-term sickness also imposes significant costs, averaging £13,800 per employee. Businesses measure the cost of sickness absence through various metrics, such as productivity losses and reduced efficiency. Early intervention is emphasized as a crucial strategy for minimizing sickness absence and supporting employee health, using services like Employee Assistance Programs and counselling to prevent issues from escalating.
The average cost of long-term sick leave now stands at £20,735 per employee, with the study revealing hidden and direct costs in temporary staffing, training, and workloads for colleagues.
Research shows that employees took an average of 6.38 days off in the last year, highlighting the growing financial strain from both short-term and long-term sickness absence.
Charlotte O'Brien emphasizes that early intervention plays a vital role in building a healthier workforce, stating that it can significantly minimize time off due to illness.
Offering preventive support services, such as GP24 and counselling, addresses health concerns before they escalate, thereby reducing the likelihood and cost of prolonged employee absences.
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