Report shows sickness absence costs

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) said sickness levels had remained stable at almost seven days per worker over the past year after a slight fall in previous years, which the group said countered the popular assumption that rates were increasing.

But the study of over 600 firms showed misconceptions about the effect of ill-health, worker resistance to rehabilitation as well as concern about the level of protection offered by the Disability Discrimination Act.

EEF Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Sayeed Khan, said: "Promoting rehabilitation in the workplace is the single biggest factor that government, employers, employees and healthcare professionals can address in tackling our sickness absence record."

The report also found that two out of five employees took no time off sick, while younger staff were more likely to suffer from stress than older employees.

Professor Mike O'Donnell of insurance firm Unum, which helped with the study, added: "We know that many of the things that prevent people from returning to work are unrelated to their actual health condition."

Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health and Work, who has conducted a review into workers' health, said the results of the survey supported one of her key proposals, the setting up of a so-called Fit for Work service to help firms and workers tackle sickness absence issues.

"I am glad to see EEF endorsing the idea and recommending it should be a priority. The survey also importantly highlights the issue of mental health problems, an area where there needs to be early intervention to prevent such problems becoming long-term and leading to people losing their jobs."