Over half of UK employees admit to faking sick days, costing businesses billions annually.
- UK businesses face an annual cost of £5.6 billion due to sick days.
- On average, employees took 7.8 sick days last year.
- February is expected to see the highest number of sick calls, with 350,000 employees anticipated to be absent.
- London, Reading, and Edinburgh are the top cities incurring high sick pay costs.
Over half of the British workforce has admitted to taking sick days under false pretences, primarily to enjoy a day off. This widespread issue has resulted in UK businesses bearing a significant financial burden. The total cost of these absences is estimated at £5.6 billion annually, illustrating a considerable expense attributed to employee absenteeism.
The average number of sick days taken by an employee in the UK has reached 7.8 days per year. This statistic underscores the frequency of absences that businesses must manage, further contributing to operational challenges and financial strain.
February is anticipated to be the peak month for sick leave, with an estimated 350,000 employees expected to report sick. This trend highlights an annual pattern where businesses must brace for increased absenteeism and the accompanying financial impact.
The financial repercussions of sick leave are most pronounced in major UK cities, with London, Reading, and Edinburgh topping the list. London experiences the highest cost per employee for a sick day at £122.25, followed closely by Reading at £121.58, and Edinburgh at £108.30. This geographical disparity in costs emphasizes the varying financial challenges faced by businesses across the country.
Employers have reported encountering a range of nonsensical excuses for sick days, such as missing work attire or personal commitments. These excuses, while often humorous, reflect a more serious underlying issue of unauthorised absenteeism which companies must address to mitigate financial losses.
Reducing the frequency of disingenuous sick days could significantly alleviate the financial burden on UK businesses.
