Survey Shows Sick Days Cost the Economy £13 Billion in 2006

According to a survey by CBI and AXA absence increased in 2006 as workers took an average of seven days off sick, losing 175 million working days and costing the economy £13.4billion.

The research identified that long-term absence of 20 days or more accounts for 43% of all working time lost. In the public sector, 52% of absence is long-term, while in the private sector 38% is long-term.

Asked to cite the reasons behind fake illness claims, 70% cent of employers felt staff are inclined to create unauthorised long weekends by taking Mondays or Fridays off sick, while 68% said there is a link between sickies and holidays, and 39% said absence is linked to special events, such as major sporting tournaments.

The survey also shows organisations with recognised trade unions had more absence days compared to those with out. The north-west lost the most days in 2006 (8.8 days per employee), whilst the region with the lowest levels was Greater London (5.8).