'Sickies' rise for first time in five years

Workplace absenteeism has increased for the first time in five years, adding an extra 10 million sick days that cost UK businesses £11.6 billion last year.

The annual survey revealed that employers estimate that 25 million days were lost last year through staff taking non-genuine sickness absence or 'pulling sickies' - a figure that accounts for 15% of all absence at a cost of £1.75 billion.

According to the findings of a survey of over 500 firms by the CBI and AXA, three-quarters of companies suspect employees of taking "unwarranted" long-weekends by calling-in sick on Fridays or Mondays. The majority of firm said there was either a "definite or possible" link between patterns of absence and the unauthorised extension of the weekend.

The total number of working days lost to absence has increased for the first time since 1998, caused by an 8% rise in service sector absence. Total days lost rose to 176 million in 2003 - equivalent to 7.2 days per employee, an increase of 6% or almost half a day. The report said that cost of overall workplace absence remains "worryingly high", with firms paying £11.6bn in 2003 to cover the salaries of absent individuals and the resulting overtime and temporary cover.

John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: "Firms understand that the majority of absence is due to genuine minor sickness. But absence is a serious and expensive concern that is on the increase.

"This rise has been caused by a growing level of service sector absence that may be the direct result of the tough year endured by the sector. As costs rose in 2003, many services firms were forced to slim down and conduct the same amount of work with fewer staff. This would have increased pressure on employees and possibly affected morale, leading to an increase in absence."

The CBI also expressed concerns that companies may be facing increased staff "sickness" during this Summer's Euro 2004 football tournament.

The CBI points to figures showing that the public sector accounts for 29% of total UK employment but public sector absence accounted for 36% of total absence. That is 64 million days of the total 176 million days lost to absence. The CBI claimed that the UK taxpayer would be saved £1 billion if public sector absence was brought in line with the private sector average. Overall public sector absence cost a total of £4 billion last year.

The survey also showed that manufacturing firms reported higher absence levels than service sector companies - 7.4 days lost compared with 6.4 days lost. Service sector absence increased by 8% - or half a day - in this survey, rising from 5.9 days in last year's survey.

Firms said that long-term absence accounted for just 5 % of all absence cases but was responsible for a third of total time lost through absence.

(SP)