One in four employers have seen an increase in staff being off sick compared to a year ago, new research suggests.
A survey of more than 1,000 employers by the conciliation service Acas found that fewer than one in 10 had seen a decrease. Acas chief executive Susan Clews said: “Workplaces are handling a wide variety of staff illnesses at the moment, such as a rise in flu and Covid cases, as well as the ongoing impact of long Covid.
“Staff may want to know about their workplace rights if they are off sick and businesses will want to ensure they remain productive and stay within the law. Handling sickness absences effectively can help to prevent any unnecessary disputes at work.
“Employers should have a clear absence policy that covers the basics such as sick pay, fit notes, how staff should report any absences and keep in touch.”
Acas said employers should have an absence policy in place that is clear about what is expected if staff need time off work.
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