The latest survey undertaken over the last two years has revealed that the number of days taken off for sickness is at a record low. The survey, undertaken by the EEF, involved 330 firms all over the UK and showed that on average time off has dropped to just 2.1%, being equal to just 4.9 days per worker per year. The EEF, formerly the Engineering Employers Federation, now represents all manufacturing organizations in the UK revealed in its 2014 Sickness Absence Survey.

While this is good news the survey also revealed a rise in workers being absent with mental health issues, with just over half (54%) stating that stress and other mental health issues were having the greatest impact on their long-term absence levels. Researchers have come to the conclusion that this could be evidence of the effect on the workforce of the long period of recession and austerity that we have experienced.

However, although there is a reduction in short term illnesses, long-term absences is rising, with 40% of companies having increases over the last two years. Companies have become more aware and increased investment in managing absence, helping more employees return to work earlier by encouraging their well being through health related benefits. Almost half of employers are now paying for medical interventions and operations and almost 70% are offering occupational health services as a benefit for all staff members. This has helped reduce the figures and the wellbeing of employees is now seen as critical for the economy.

However, there is still more support required from both government and other organizations to help on reducing long-term absence. The ‘fit note’ scheme introduced in 2010 is felt by many employers to be failing in its remit, with over 40% reporting poor quality of advice from GPs on the scheme as the main bone of contention. Even after the scheme had been in place for almost a year, a quarter of employers said that none of the notes they had received from employees were computer generated.

So whatever the approach of companies, from introducing new benefits for employees to get them back to work, or issuing clothing, such as safety shoes, or improving work conditions there is always going to be a certain level of sickness absence, but with it now being at it lowest levels for many years then it is going in the right direction