Northern Ireland tops UK absenteeism survey

Northern Ireland has the highest rate of absenteeism in the UK according to the latest survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The survey revealed that absence at work continues to cost British industry billions of pounds and that although the average number of days lost per employee has decreased (down to 7.1 days from 7.8 days), the actual cost of this absence has increased to £476 per employee per year.

Minor illness such as colds and flu continue to lead the league as the main cause of absence, followed by recurring illness for manual employees and stress for non-manual employees.

The report also found that very few companies examine the link between health and employee performance. However of the companies that do, they found a strong relationship between employees' state of health and their performance in the workplace.

Commenting on the figures, Ronnie McCaw, the Hospital Savings Association's business development manager, said: "Prompt diagnosis and treatment helps keep absence levels down, reduces the cost and impact on industry and can be a key factor in maintaining staff motivation and morale. With the highest absence rate in the survey, Northern Ireland clearly needs to address this issue."

The benefits available from corporate cash plans include cover towards the cost of dentistry, eye examinations and glasses plus a number of complementary treatments to tackle back-pain, which itself cost the nation £6 billion a year. Private consultation is also covered, speeding up the often timely diagnosis process, a range of hospital benefits pay a nightly rate for in-patient stays and day case admissions are similarly covered.

HSA say that with more than 4,000 British companies implementing the plans they are designed to be simply implemented and administered.

(MB)