Fewer employee sick days in 2011

The number of working days lost to sickness of employees in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK dropped in 2011, making it 8 consecutive years of a decline in employee sick days.

In 2003 there were 178 million days of sickness absence from work, while last year there was 131 million in total - coughs, cold and flu being among the most common illnesses cited for absence. Back, neck and limb problems were also among the most common reasons for employees not showing up to work. Minor illness accounted for 36% of sick days, while 10% of employees cited stress as the reason for their absence. The reduced number of total sick days means, that on average, employees in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK each miss 4.5 days a year of work through illness.

The figures released by the Office for National Statistics also showed that employees who formed part of a larger workforce were more prone to sick days, and that private sector employees and the self-employed were less likely to miss a day of work through illness. There also appeared to be a higher count of sick days among women and older employees.

TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, says staff are coming under pressure from employers to show up for work even if they are ill. However, the Work Foundation and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development considers that the "presenteeism" increases during recession because of fears over job security.

If you are an employer or employee in Northern Ireland requiring legal advice in respect of rights to absence from work and how to respond to long-term absence, contact one of the employment solicitors at Wilson Nesbitt in Belfast by calling 0800 840 9296, or submit your details for a callback by clicking here.

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