…By Enitan Thompson for TDPel Media.
New Government data reveals that the total number of days lost due to sickness in 2022 reached a record high, surpassing even the number of days lost in 1999, the highest since records began in 1995.
The 185.6 million days lost in 2022 represent a 25% increase from the previous year.
Although part of the increase can be attributed to population growth over time, the percentage of total available working hours lost was still the highest since 2004.
The NHS waiting list backlog contributed to the rise in sick days.
Increased Sickness Absence Rates
According to David Freeman, Head of Labour Market and Household Statistics at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), “Sickness absence rose again in 2022, so that the proportion of working hours lost was the highest since 2004.”
During the early stages of the pandemic, the sickness absence rate dropped to its lowest ever rate as a result of lockdown measures and furloughing, which reduced exposure to minor illnesses.
However, the sickness absence rate has now increased again.
Long-Term Health Conditions and NHS Waiting Lists
The absence rate for those with long-term health conditions rose to the highest level since 2008, coinciding with long NHS waiting lists for treatment.
More than one million Londoners are on an NHS waiting list for treatment, according to data released in December.
Minor Illnesses and Labour Force
Minor illnesses accounted for 29.3% of absences, rising to almost pre-Covid levels.
Additionally, half a million more people are out of the labour force due to long-term sickness than in 2019.
However, these individuals are not included in the absence statistics.
Sickness Rates by Location and Industry
London has the lowest sickness absence rate at 2.1%, thanks to a younger workforce and lower rates of manual labour.
In contrast, the public sector had a higher sickness absence rate of 3.6% than the private sector, where the rate was 2.3%.
Commentary:
This report highlights the impact of NHS waiting lists on the economy, with sickness absence rates reaching a record high in 2022.
Long-term health conditions and minor illnesses were among the leading causes of sickness absence.
The higher absence rate in the public sector compared to the private sector may indicate the need for greater support and accommodations for employees with long-term health conditions.
The data also shows that individuals who are out of the labour force due to long-term sickness are not captured in the absence statistics, suggesting that the actual sickness absence rate may be higher than reported.