What is it?

New figures from the Office for National Statistics confirm that 148.8 million working days were lost to sickness or injury in the UK in 2025, an average of 4.4 days per worker. That figure remains nearly 10 million days above pre-pandemic levels and sickness absence is estimated to have cost UK businesses £11.8 billion in lost profits last year alone.

What you need to know

The most common causes of absence were minor illnesses, musculoskeletal problems and mental health conditions. Women, older workers and those with long-term health conditions recorded the highest absence rates.

From an employment law perspective, one change worth noting is that from April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is now payable from day one of absence rather than day four, capped at 80% of weekly earnings or the standard rate, whichever is lower. That change affects how you cost and plan for absence, particularly for smaller businesses.

Good absence management does not mean making it harder for people to be off sick. It means having the right structure in place so that absence is handled consistently, supportively and in a way that reduces the risk of things escalating.

The practical foundations are straightforward: a clear absence policy, accurate records, return to work interviews after every absence, and trigger points that flag patterns early. For longer term absence, regular contact, occupational health referrals and reasonable adjustments all make a real difference to whether someone comes back successfully or not.

What it means for your business

At 4.4 days per worker per year, the cost of doing nothing adds up quickly. Most absence is genuine and unavoidable, but without a consistent process, short term absences can drift into something more serious, patterns go unnoticed and managers are left dealing with situations they do not feel equipped to handle.

The good news is that most of the building blocks are not complicated. A solid policy, trained managers and a culture where people feel comfortable having honest conversations will go a long way.

How Lansbury HR can help

We can help you put a proper absence management framework in place, review your current policy, train your managers and support you through any individual cases where absence has become a concern. Get in touch to find out more.

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