What causes absence to spike?
There are a variety of issues past and present.
In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, research suggested that 37% of employers had seen an increase in absences due to stress. Furthermore, stress, depression and anxiety already accounted for 44% of ill-health among employees. They also accounted for 54% of all working days lost.
Research from the UK Government found 1 in 6 adults experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms in 2022.
A lack of employee motivation at the start of the year can be caused by a range of factors, including returning to work after annual leave, dark mornings, debt from Christmas and failed New Year’s resolutions.
Now add the cost of living crisis to the mix, unsurprisingly, all of this takes its toll on morale and optimism in the workplace and contributes to a spike in employee absence rates.
The cost of living crisis continues to massively impact employees throughout the UK. More employees face financial difficulties, and consequently, this will have a knock on effect on absence.
A second job is seen by many as the best way to supplement the loss of income due to the cost of living crisis. However, being tired from an additional job won't just lead to poor performance, but also absence. Employers should be aware of the Working Time Regulations 1998 act. This caps an employees working hours to 48 hours a week. It should be noted that this cap isn't per job - but per employee.
Employees can opt out of this agreement. Therefore, it's recommended that employers review staff working hours as well as the opt-out agreements.
Other financial, health and wellbeing considerations should be taken in order to stop unwanted absence.
Of course, heavy snow and ice are very difficult to drive in. Plus, bad weather often forces school closures. In short, this means employees struggle to get to work, either because their cars get stuck, public transport gets cancelled, or they need to stay home with their kids.
