As Leaves Fall, Sickness Absence Rises

According to recent findings published in the CIPD’s Health and Wellbeing at Work 2025 report, UK employees have recorded an average of 9.4 days of sickness absence over the past year, marking a sharp increase compared to previous years—a notable rise from 7.8 days in 2023 and just 5.8 days in 2022. This uptick is evident across sectors, with public sector staff averaging 13.3 days off, while those in private and non-profit organisations reported 9.1 and 6.5 days respectively

Mental health issues emerged as the leading driver behind long-term workplace absence, with 41% of surveyed organisations listing it among their top three causes. When it comes to short-term sick leave, minor illnesses were overwhelmingly cited as the most common reason (by 78% of employers), with mental health concerns trailing as the second most frequent cause (reported by 29%).

The report highlights a trend towards more organisations adopting comprehensive health and wellbeing strategies. CIPD’s Senior Policy Adviser, Rachel Suff, stresses the necessity for proactive support measures to help staff manage health conditions while remaining in work, noting that extended periods of sick leave can make reintegration challenging and place additional strain on colleagues and business operations

To support mental health at work, the most prevalent approaches identified were facilitating access to counselling, enabling phased returns to duty, and ensuring reasonable adjustments for employees. Many organisations also offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) as part of their mental health toolkit.

Looking ahead, the Employment Rights Bill will bring changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from April 2026. These reforms are expected to increase employer sick pay expenses, underscoring the need for robust absence management systems moving forward.

Overall, these developments underline the importance for employers to prioritise wellbeing and offer effective support to ensure a healthy, productive workforce