Sickness absence in the UK labour market: 2022

Stress, anxiety and depression have been leading causes of workplace sickness absence for several years. Rates have increased further since the COVID-19 pandemic and are at their highest level for over two decades. Ongoing instabilities within the job market, the cost of living crisis and global threats such as climate change contribute to the daily pressures people experience and create fear and uncertainty about the future. This increases people's vulnerability to stress and more serious ongoing mental health problems, leading to increases in sickness absence. Other factors such as workload and a lack of control or support in the workplace can also contribute to stress and sickness absence. Employers who monitor the impact of these factors on employees and take a strategic approach to reduce stress and enhance employee wellbeing create psychologically safe working environments that support positive mental health.

The increase in sickness absence will come as no surprise to many business owners, as people are taking more time off than ever before. Covid still appears rife, but culturally people now feel it’s acceptable to take time out of work for themselves when they’re not quite feeling ok. While, from a mental health point of view, this is undoubtedly great progress, for a small employer it really does put pressure on the business and other employees. That has a knock-on effect and will result in the employee that stayed to help then being off sick. Stress is still a top reason for absence and I don’t see that getting better even with various mental health benefits in place. Yoga in the workplace once a month won’t cure the feeling of being overworked, underpaid and undervalued."

The UK workforce is in crisis. Employee burnout and remote working, through working in isolation, are likely to be a contributor to skyrocketing sickness absence rates. Many people are also feeling added pressure as a result of rising costs due to inflation. Though the pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote work, employees are now struggling with isolation and a lack of work-life balance. Employers must adapt to provide more flexibility, or the crisis will worsen, further disengaging the workforce. It would seem that the traditional office setting is no longer suitable for the modern workforce. Action must be taken to prevent this crisis from escalating.