Sickness absence on downward trend

The survey shows that from 2007 to 2010 there has been a steady fall in sickness absence, with the average employee taking 5.0 days sickness in 2010 compared to 6.7 days in 2007. Significantly, an all time high of 45% of employees took no days off through sickness in 2010. While recessionary effects may have played a part, this trend began before the recession with year on year improvements over the last five years. The survey shows a clear correlation between those companies with strategies in place to train managers in sickness absence and tougher absence targets, with falling absence rates. More than two thirds are now achieving their targets compared to half in 2007 whilst those companies who trained their managers are one third more likely to reduce their sickness absence. EEF chief medical adviser Professor Sayeed Khan said: "The continued downward trend in sickness absence is welcome recognition of efforts by companies and government to get people back to work. In particular, it is striking that the companies who have proactively contacted their GPs to discuss adjusting people's working arrangements have seen the highest level of response. "It is also clear that doing the basics such as training line managers and GPs in managing sickness absence pays dividends. If we are to see the trend continuing to improve and the economic benefit to the UK economy this brings, it is vital that government continues to fund the training of GPs in health and work issues." The survey also shows the first results of the impact on sickness absence of the introduction of the 'fit note' where the results were mixed. One fifth of companies said the introduction had helped them reduce absence and 28% said it has aided return to work discussions. The number of companies reporting the GP as a barrier to rehabilitation also fell significantly, down from 39% in 2007 to 26% in 2010.