Lina Edinborough-Read’s Post

A recent article by The Guardian highlights a growing issue in the workplace: the hidden cost of presenteeism and rising sickness rates, showcasing the importance of businesses prioritising employee health and wellbeing. Key points from the report: 📊 Annual cost of workplace sickness in the UK has increased to £103bn in 2023, up from £73bn in 2018. 🏢 The primary cause is a loss of productivity, costing £25bn, as employees lose an average of 44 days of productivity due to presenteeism. 🚑 Sick leave has increased, with employees now taking 6.7 days off on average, up from 3.7 days in 2018. 😷 Presenteeism remains a significant issue, with many UK workers continuing to work while ill, leading to reduced performance and increased mistakes. 💼 Businesses and investors are increasingly viewing employee health as a critical asset. 🧠 Mental health training for managers has been linked to better business outcomes, such as improved customer service and employee retention. With more people working through illness and taking sick days, it's clear that this issue affects both productivity and overall health. At Medichecks, we believe that investing in proactive health measures, such as comprehensive health checks, can make a big difference in addressing these challenges. Our services help identify health issues early, enabling targeted interventions that support both employees and employers. Prioritising employee wellbeing is not just a moral obligation but a strategic business decision that can lead to better productivity, reduced absenteeism, and a healthier work culture. 💼 Investing in your team's health is an investment in your company's future. 🌟 https://lnkd.in/eXXm_gGK. #CorporateHealthbyMedichecks #CorporateHealthChecks #EmployeeHealthChecks#EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceWellness #diagnostics #diagnostictesting #diagnosticsasaservice #bloodtest #bloodtesting #homebloodtest #remotebloodtesting

Reduce sickness absence in your workforce just by implementing this one wellbeing strategy objective. A recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) revealed staggering figures: the cost of staff sickness in the UK has surged by £30 billion a year, reaching £103 billion in 2023, largely due to reduced productivity from presenteeism. On average, employees now lose 44 days of productivity per year due to working through sickness, up from 35 days in 2018. Additionally, they take an average of 6.7 sick days, up from 3.7 days in 2018. Presenteeism significantly diminishes productivity, as employees working while ill are less effective and more prone to errors. Jamie O'Halloran from IPPR highlighted the detrimental impact of this practice, stressing the need for a change in workplace culture and management practices. #wellbeingstrategy #employeewellbeing #wellbeingatwork #workplacewellbeing #HR #wellbeinglead #peoplemanager #culturechange

Reduce sickness absence in your workforce just by implementing this one wellbeing strategy objective. A recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) revealed staggering figures: the cost of staff sickness in the UK has surged by £30 billion a year, reaching £103 billion in 2023, largely due to reduced productivity from presenteeism. On average, employees now lose 44 days of productivity per year due to working through sickness, up from 35 days in 2018. Additionally, they take an average of 6.7 sick days, up from 3.7 days in 2018. Presenteeism significantly diminishes productivity, as employees working while ill are less effective and more prone to errors. Jamie O'Halloran from IPPR highlighted the detrimental impact of this practice, stressing the need for a change in workplace culture and management practices. #wellbeingstrategy #employeewellbeing #wellbeingatwork #workplacewellbeing #HR #wellbeinglead #peoplemanager #culturechange

National Sickie Day stands out as an annual reminder that absenteeism is a costly affair for UK businesses, with significant impacts on productivity and the economy. The stark figures from a recent occurrence—600,000 people costing the economy £45 million in a single day—underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of absenteeism. While it's easy to focus on the immediate effects of illness, what often goes unnoticed is the silent undercurrent of mental health issues contributing to this trend. It's not merely a matter of encouraging healthier lifestyle choices; it involves creating an environment where employees can openly discuss and manage their mental well-being without the stigma or fear of repercussions. Rising absenteeism carried a hefty price tag even before the pandemic, but the recent increase from an average of 5.8 days per employee in 2019 to 7.8 in 2023 signals a trend that needs immediate attention. It's now more crucial than ever to delve into the underlying causes, recognising that mental health is often the iceberg beneath the surface of absenteeism. The financial strains from the cost-of-living crisis and the lingering effects of COVID-19 exacerbate the situation, leading to increased stress and anxiety, which can manifest as physical illness or withdrawal from work. Addressing these issues isn't just about mitigating short-term sickness but involves a comprehensive strategy to support employees in maintaining both their physical and psychological well-being. 🧠💷📈 The solution isn't as linear as offering a day off or implementing a wellness program. Disengaged employees present a complex challenge, often rooted in a lack of appreciation or poor workplace culture. Re-engagement is key; it's about reigniting commitment and passion through effective reward systems. Transforming the employee experience through thoughtful recognition and rewards can have a powerful ripple effect: lower absenteeism, higher productivity, and a stronger, more committed workforce. By leveraging tools like eVouchers, organisations can offer personalised forms of appreciation, promoting both tangible benefits and an enduring sense of gratification that goes beyond monetary incentives. Such strategies foster a culture of loyalty and reduce the inclination towards absenteeism. 🎁💼❤️ #EmployeeEngagement #MentalHealthAwareness #WorkplaceWellbeing

IPPR reveals the "hidden cost" of workplace sickness in the UK topples £100 billion per year, a 30% increase on 2018. Interestingly, 85% of this figure is reported to be due to lower productivity at work. There are multiple factors that contribute to this, with worker wellbeing having a significant impact. The below article highlights three actions to tackle rising workplace sickness costs. ➡ Enhance sick pay ➡ Enhance support for those working remotely ➡ Get better at removing the stigma associated with ill health The final point resonates with me as there is no tangible process to implement. It must come down to creating a workplace culture that enables staff to not feel “stress, anxiety, guilt or fear” when requesting sick time, like 65% of the participants in the below study. 

Preventative regular musculoskeletal treatment via a chiropractor or osteopath, both reclaimable via a cash plan can make a huge difference to your overall wellbeing. I swear by my chiropractic sessions every 10 weeks or so. #wellbeing #wellness #backpain #chiropractic #cashplan

📢The hidden cost of UK workplace sickness rockets to £100bn a year, report finds. Presenteeism is when an employee is constantly present at work despite being unwell. This report states this rising bill is said to be largely a result of ‘staggering’ levels of presenteeism causing loss of productivity... The report states employees now lose the equivalent of 44 days of productivity on average because of working through sickness. Full story: https://bit.ly/4fo383J This serves as another crucial reminder to invest in staff training and support for health and wellbeing. Our eLearning toolkit on Employee Wellbeing covers 8 key mental health and wellbeing topic areas for staff training. Learn more here: NI - https://bit.ly/3WIpbe5 ROI - https://bit.ly/3WHuqKW

The Hidden Cost of Workplace Sickness: Why Investing in Employee Health is a Business Imperative A recent report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), highlighted by Andrew Gregory in The Guardian, reveals that the cost of workplace sickness in the UK has soared to over £100bn a year. The sharp rise is largely due to presenteeism—employees working while unwell—which is costing businesses billions in lost productivity. On average, UK workers now lose 44 days of productivity annually, a significant jump from 2018 figures. At Boutros Bear Hybrid Healthcare, we know businesses can no longer afford to overlook the costs associated with employee health. By providing our uniquely personalised and comprehensive recovery programmes for those affected by the most prevalent and costly long-term conditions, companies can reduce presenteeism, improve productivity, and enhance employee well-being. Investing in employee health isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s crucial for long-term business success. Let’s discuss how we can support your team and drive better business outcomes together. You can find us at: 🖥 www.boutrosbear.com 📩 info@boutrosbear.com Or directly book a meeting here: https://lnkd.in/e2yn2mZf Click here to read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ennMCmeP #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceHealth #ProductivityBoost #MentalHealthMatters #HybridHealthcare #BusinessGrowth #Presenteeism #EmployeeEngagement #WellnessAtWork #ROI #SickLeave #BusinessStrategy #EmployeeSupport #IPPR #TheGuardian #CorporateWellness #HealthyWorkforce #WorkplaceSustainability

Health and wellness of their employees is such an important area to focus on for HR / organizations. At any given point of time, a minimum 10% of the team will be either battling their own sickness or worrying about the health of their immediate family member who's recovering. 1. Give leaves and day offs generously. The focus should be that whenever present, we're committing to work fully - being productive, and driving outcome. 2. Managers who are aware and working with an individual who is also preoccupied at home can show empathy, and give the right support, flexibility, help on their tasks, to make them engaged and productive at work. We can do a lot of initiatives to promote overall well-being and drive a focus on healthy long term habits. #healthandwellness #employeeengagement #workplaceculture

Lost productivity is arguably impossible to measure accurately (in the same way as 'full' productivity can't be objectively measured).   The impact of people not working to their full capacity and potential affects not just 'output' but levels of accuracy, accident rates, levels of customer services, problem solving skills etc. However, a recent report by the Institute of Public Policy Research estimated the hidden cost to businesses from lower productivity among people working whilst unwell is around £30 billion. This equates to 44 days per person, plus a further 6.7 days of sickness absence. The phrase in the report that I really liked was their argument that 'health and work can interact in a viscous or virtuous circle'. This is so true.   Work can support our wider health and wellbeing by giving a sense of purpose, building connections with others, providing opportunities to grow, etc.   Likewise having a good level of wellbeing means we have the resources to draw upon to be engaged and productive. It is why it is vital that all wellbeing strategies take an holistic approach considering every aspect of an employees experience at work. They all have the potential to influence engagement and overall health. #wellbeing #holisticwellbeing https://zurl.co/MlEK