Latest news with #absenteeism
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
The public sector sicknote epidemic: They're 60% more likely to be off than staff who work for private firms
Public sector workers are 60 per cent more likely to be off work due to illness than employees in the private sector. The extent of Britain's sick note epidemic is exposed in Office for National Statistics figures that reveal 148.9 million working days were lost last year, equivalent to 4.4 days for each worker. And the share of such absences among public sector employees was 2.9 per cent, significantly higher than the private sector's 1.8 per cent. The ONS claimed it could be explained by differences in types of jobs in the sectors and that workers in state-funded jobs were more likely to be paid for being off than those in private employment. But John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers are fed up with footing the bill for a public sector that's far more likely to be off sick. 'It reflects poor management and weak accountability. In the private sector, this would raise serious questions – in the public sector, it's too often ignored. Ministers must set clearer expectations, better oversight and ensure taxpayers aren't left footing the bill for unchecked absenteeism.' Sick rates have been higher in the public sector for every year on record, the ONS said. But in both cases, rates were lower last year than in 2023. The overall number of working days lost last year was 14.9 million down from 2023 but still 9.9 million higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The sickness absence rate of 2.5 per cent for women was higher than for men, at 1.6 per cent. James Cockett, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said some public sector roles – healthcare, education, social care and policing – could increase exposure to illness and also often be 'physically and emotionally demanding'. He said this could lead to greater rates of stress-related absence He added more public sector employers offer occupational sick pay compared with private sector employers.' Len Shackleton, of the Institute of Economic Affairs think-tank, said: 'Private sector workers are more likely to be employed in small workplaces where absence is more noticeable and they may feel obliged not to let colleagues down. 'Their jobs may also be less secure than those in the public sector, again a motive for 'presenteeism' [where employees go to work despite being sick] which public sector workers don't feel to the same extent.'
News24
03-06-2025
- Business
- News24
This flu season, keep your employees safe and prevent your business from falling ill
As early as April, the dreaded 2024 influenza season will start, reaching its most severe period generally between May and August1. Besides the physical symptoms and risks that flu poses to the general population, especially those people in higher risk groups, the cost of influenza on businesses can be significant, impacting productivity, employee absenteeism, healthcare expenses, and overall profitability2. Despite an effective influenza vaccine having been available for many years, flu continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality both in South Africa and worldwide1, and has a detrimental effect on businesses, both directly and indirectly2. Statistics released by Human Capital Review estimate that absenteeism could cost South Africa as much as R19.144 billion annually3, with flu accounting for 4.5 million days of absenteeism from work every year2. Office environments have many so-called 'flu hot spots', including the elevators, stair railing, bathroom door, printers or even the kettle or fridge. Flu spreads easily from person to person through droplet distribution when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or through hand-to-hand contact. In a work environment, where people are in close contact with each other, it is more likely for the flu virus to spread and infect other people too, who in turn can pass their flu onto their families and other people they come into contact with4. This is becoming even more relevant as many workers return to the office post the COVID pandemic, with 76% of local CEOs preferring workers being back in the office full-time5. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, seasonal flu results in between 6 000 and 11 000 people in South Africa dying as a result of complications every year6. High risk individuals are also more at risk come flu season, and include the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, lung disease, tuberculosis and heart disease6. With businesses in South Africa already faced with numerous challenges including loadshedding, rising inflation and high energy prices7, making the flu vaccine available to employees or implementing a corporate flu vaccine programme not only benefits your business, but is an important step towards protecting the health and safety of your employees8. In fact, vaccinated employees can serve as a barrier to limit the spread of influenza and can reduce the transmission rate by as much as 78%8. Besides being vaccinated, which is the most effective way to prevent flu8, anyone who suspects they have flu should stay home from work at least 4-5 days after the onset of symptoms, and are at their most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness9. The flu vaccine, although not 100% effective, remains the best available form of protection against influenza1. Those who have been vaccinated will also experience reduced symptoms, fewer visits to the clinic or doctor, reduced sick leave, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalisations6. Companies are urged to consider implementing a company vaccination programme as this is the most effective pre-emptive measure to protect your business, and your employees, this winter8. References: 1. National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Flu Season is Around the Corner (2019) at (website accessed on 30 January 2024) 2. Tempia, S et al. Health and economic burden of influenza-associated illness in South Africa, 2013-2015. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2019 Sep; 13(5): 484–495 at (website accessed on 11 December 2023) 3. The True Cost of Absenteeism in the workplace. People Factor Magazine (2022) at ( (website accessed on 11 December 2023) 4. Flu or Cold? Genesis Medical Scheme (2016) at (website accessed on 15 February 2024) 5. KPMG - CEO Outlook South African edition: Potential growth in uncertain times (2022) at (website accessed on 15 February 2023) 6. National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Influenza Season Approaching (2018) at (website accessed on 30 January 2024) 7. International Monetary Fund. South Africa's Economy Loses Momentum Amid Record Power Cuts (2023) at (website accessed on 11 December 2023) 8. Verelst, F. Science Direct. Workplace influenza vaccination to reduce employee absenteeism: An economic analysis from the employers' perspective (2021) at (website accessed on 11 December 2023) 9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing the Spread of Flu in the Workplace (2021) at (website accessed on 15 February 2023)
Free Malaysia Today
18-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Cash aid alone won't cut SPM absenteeism, says economist
Education director-general Azman Adnan says nearly 58% of the 6,246 students who missed the 2024 SPM did so to join the workforce. PETALING JAYA : Cash aid programmes tied to school attendance may help reduce SPM absenteeism, especially among students facing financial hardship, but their success hinges on integration into a broader, long-term strategy, says an economist. Juita Mohamad, a consultant with UN Trade & Development, cautioned that such initiatives must not be one-off efforts without oversight. 'In Budget 2022, there was an allocation of up to RM2,500 for vulnerable households, but the size and target groups of these allocations may change annually depending on the government's spending priorities. 'Without continuity and proper monitoring, it would be difficult to assess which measures are effective and what amount is appropriate to provide,' she told FMT. Juita, an economist, also cautioned that financial assistance alone may not directly improve academic performance, particularly if students are enticed by the high earnings offered by the gig economy. Malaysia lacks official data on the income distribution among gig workers due to the difficulty in tracking such figures. However, media reports suggest that full-time delivery workers in Malaysia typically earn upwards of RM2,000 per month. Juita said the education system must do more to motivate students to complete their studies, including by making the curricula more engaging and fostering critical thinking. SPM absenteeism has declined in recent years. However, the high number of students who opt not to sit for the examination gives cause for concern. In 2023, the education ministry reported that 10,160 students did not sit for the examination, down from 14,858 in the preceding year. Last month, education director-general Azman Adnan revealed that nearly 58% of the 6,246 students who missed the 2024 sitting did so to enter the workforce. Others cited financial hardship, health problems, family issues and lifestyle choices. 'We need to understand the causes and employ the right measures. If the remedies do not match the causes, then they will not solve the issue,' said Juita. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Andrew Mohanraj echoed similar views, noting that a growing number of students are questioning the value of traditional qualifications like SPM when job opportunities remain limited even for graduates. 'There is growing disillusionment with the education system. The idea of spending years in school with no clear path to financial security feels increasingly out of touch for some youth,' he said. Meanwhile, J Anasuya of the University of Cyberjaya said many 17-year-olds may not fully grasp the long-term value of the SPM. 'They might not realise how crucial it is to have some kind of score in SPM. It serves as a basic requirement for employment and future opportunities.'
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Sick note Britain will get worse under workers' rights reforms, Lords warn
Sick note Britain will get worse under Labour's workers' rights reforms as those who 'would prefer a day off' can more easily stay at home, Lords have warned. Lord Hunt of Wirral said that the Employment Rights Bill, which promises to make more staff eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP), could increase absenteeism by encouraging more workers to call in sick 'when it may not be strictly necessary'. 'There may be little incentive to attend work when they feel under the weather or even when they simply feel they would prefer a day off,' he said, warning that hospitality businesses that rely on younger, part-time workers could be particularly hard hit. 'The absence of financial pressure could lead to increased absenteeism in the short-term, which could lead to operational challenges.' Under the Government's plans, which are being overseen by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, workers will be able to claim sick pay from the first day of their illness, instead of the fourth. A threshold to earn at least £123 a week to qualify for sick pay will also be abolished. Recruiters have already warned that staff could risk losing their jobs under the overhaul, amid concerns that the extra costs could overwhelm small businesses. During a debate on the Bill in the Lords on Tuesday, Baroness Cash also raised concerns about the changes, noting that mental health now accounts for half of all new sickness claims. 'What qualifies? A diagnosis of stress, low mood, burnout – all of these are now signed off on GP sick notes. There's a confusion between transient life difficulty and clinical disorder,' she argued. 'In Sweden they did what this government is proposing to do and it led to rocketing absence levels.' A record 185.6m working days were lost to sickness or injury in Britain in 2022, the most recent year the Office for National Statistics has published data for. Peers have been raising concerns about various parts of the reforms in recent weeks, as the House of Lords continues to examine individual parts of the Bill. The legislation will greatly strengthen the power of workers and trade unions. As well as offering broader eligibility for sick pay, the Bill also includes a greater entitlement to flexible work, a crackdown on zero-hour contracts and full employment rights from the first day in a job. The Bill is currently making its way through Parliament and will continue to face scrutiny in the Lords, where more amendments can be made. Baroness Meyer has previously warned that the Bill would put the country at risk of 'being held to ransom' by unions and could take Britain back to the 'economic chaos of the 1970s'. Last week Conservative peer Lord Sharpe of Epsom said that the Bill could 'unintentionally create significant risks to national security' if Britain's security services were given greater powers to request flexible working. Bosses have been spooked by the package of changes, with data this week showing that business confidence had hit a record low. A quarter of employers plan to make redundancies in the next quarter, the survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found, as fears mount over the impact of the additional red tape.
Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Workers will skive off if sick pay offered from day one of illness, say Tories
Labour's plans to introduce sick pay from day one of illness will cause workers to skive, senior Tories have said. Critics of Angela Rayner's Employment Rights Bill claim the proposals will lead to soaring absenteeism. The Bill will end the current situation where new workers are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for the first three days of a sickness – a so-called three-day waiting period. The Bill will also remove the lower earnings limit to qualify for the payment. Labour argues the existing situation can force people to work when they are unwell, leading to the spread of infection and poorer productivity for businesses. Lord Hunt of Wirral, the Tory business minister, argued the legislation brought with it 'a raft of unintended consequences'. He said: 'Absenteeism is a critical issue for many businesses especially those in hospitality, retail and other service-based industries, where staff shortages can lead to disruption, cancellations and even closures. 'With the removal of waiting days for SSP and the expansion of eligibility it is essential that all of us should understand fully how these changes are going to affect absenteeism patterns across various sectors. 'One of the sectors most concerned with the potential rise in absenteeism that these changes will cause is of course hospitality. 'The concern is that the reforms could result in workers taking sick leave when it may not be strictly necessary as the financial implications of their doing so would be mitigated by the statutory sick pay payment.' He added: 'We believe it is essential that the Government thoroughly evaluates how these statutory sick pay provisions would affect absenteeism. 'When workers can call in sick and expect SSP from day one businesses will inevitably be forced to deal with more absences at short notice.' Baroness Noakes, a fellow Conservative peer, said: 'Extending the days for which payment is made is likely to increase the number of days lost to sickness, as the current incentive to work if the illness is mild will simply disappear. 'The Government say they have no idea what the behavioural impact of the changes will be – whether positive or negative – but I am prepared to bet that there will be far more short-duration absences, which will qualify for statutory sick pay, than there were before.' 'Bad for business' However, Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway, the former general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and a Labour peer, said: 'The Covid pandemic exposed just how precarious life is for those in insecure, low-paid work, and we do not know how many preventable illnesses were caused by people struggling into work and spreading the virus because they could not afford to stay home. 'But we do know, as we have heard, that forcing people back to work when they are ill is bad for workers and bad for business, puts pressure on the NHS and is costly for the economy.' She argued SSP had failed to keep up with the cost of living or increases in the living wage. Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the business minister, said the proposed changes to sick pay would cost businesses around an extra £15 per employee, which she described as 'a relatively modest amount'. She said: 'I assure the House that the Government remain committed to monitoring the impact of these SSP measures. 'Our proposals have to be seen in the wider context of the Bill. The Bill is intended to improve the experience of employees at work. 'For us, that is an important challenge that we intend to monitor,' she added.
