New research indicates that sick days taken by UK workers have reached their highest level in the past decade.

According to the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), employees took an average of 7.8 sick days over the past year, up from 5.8 before the pandemic.

The CIPD expressed concern over this increase and attributed it to factors such as stress, the lingering impact of Covid-19, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, all of which it believes are significantly affecting people's overall well-being.

The study, which analyzed absence rates across more than 900 organizations representing 6.5 million employees, was conducted by Simplyhealth, a healthcare company specializing in outpatient support.

The primary reasons for short-term absences were found to be minor illnesses, followed by musculoskeletal injuries and mental health issues. Additionally, more than a third of organizations reported that Covid-19 was still a significant contributor to sick days.

Long-term sick leave was often attributed to mental health concerns, musculoskeletal injuries, or serious medical conditions such as cancer and stroke.

The CIPD suggested that changes in work culture since the pandemic, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, have left many employees feeling disengaged and stressed. For those working from home, especially those who live alone or have limited social contact, these challenges can be exacerbated.

While most of the surveyed organizations offered sick pay, approximately half had implemented strategies to enhance employee well-being. Nevertheless, the CIPD emphasized that absenteeism rates were continuing to rise, indicating the need for more proactive measures by employers.

Rachel Suff, a senior employee well-being advisor at the CIPD, stated, "This requires managing the primary risks to employees' health resulting from their work, with a focus on preventing stress, and early intervention to prevent health issues from escalating where possible. It's crucial for organizations to foster an open, supportive culture that encourages employees to come forward with their concerns." Photo by Phil Whitehouse, Wikimedia commons.