{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Cashflow Show: Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders, CEOs and Business Leaders","title":"UK Workers Miss Nearly Two Weeks a Year: Tackling Soaring Absence Rates with Rachel Suff - CIPD ","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1050,"description":"Episode SummaryUK employees are missing nearly two full working weeks a year due to sickness—9.4 days on average, the highest in over a decade!In this episode of The Cashflow Show, host Clayton M. Coke speaks with Rachel Suff, Senior Wellbeing Advisor at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), about their latest survey revealing drivers like mental ill health (41% of long-term absences) and stress (26% of short-term absences). They explore the post-pandemic rise and proactive strategies for businesses.Key Discussion PointsRising Absence Rates: UK employees averaged 9.4 sick days last year, up from 7.8 in 2023 and 5.8 pre-pandemic, equating to nearly two working weeks (00:58–01:27).Long-Term Absence Causes: Primarily driven by mental ill health (41%), back/neck pain injuries, and other long-term conditions like cancer (01:56–02:26).Short-Term Absence Drivers: Mainly minor illnesses (78%), with mental ill health (29%) and stress (26%) also significant, often scattered throughout the year (05:17–05:47).Mental Health Trends: Mental ill health has risen post-pandemic due to increased openness, global events, and life pressures like caring responsibilities; it fluctuates on a spectrum including anxiety, depression, and stress (03:23–04:47).Demographic Factors: Nearly 9 million people in the UK have long-term health conditions, exacerbated by an aging workforce more susceptible to disabilities (02:26–02:55).Data and Prevention: Organizations must collect absence data to identify risks, differentiate causes, and proactively manage both short- and long-term absences through supportive conversations (06:14–07:09).Manager Training Needs: Many small businesses lack HR support; good management principles like empathy and flexibility help spot issues early, with signposting to GPs for serious conditions (07:38–09:32).Health Benefits Impact: Providing affordable options like counseling, employee assistance programs, or health cash plans can reduce absences...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/5TDQUThJM60yAtjdMtHop6E3IULiY5PXxdvmQ0Ytl6Q/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83ZWMx/YzQ2ZjFmMWEyNTUy/NTMyYWFjZWI2ZWM0/MzIwZC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}