Staff absence rates increase despite well-being initiatives
August 15, 2007
Staff absence rates are increasing, despite efforts by employers to introduce employee well-being initiatives, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has found.
Findings from the CIPD’s Absence Management Survey showed that 37 per cent of employers promoted well-being at work in 2007, an increase on 22 per cent of employers the previous year.
Despite the increase in well-being initiatives, the survey showed that staff absence averaged 7.2 days per employee in past 12 months, an increase on 6.8 days over the previous 12-month period. The average cost of absence per employee also went up from £598 to £659.
"Well-being initiatives form part of a long-term strategy and it is a still a relatively new agenda for a lot of employers. So, it is difficult to predict what will happen to absence rates next year, following the increase in well-being initiatives," said CIPD employee relations adviser Ben Willmott.
"However, our survey showed that only 13 per cent of businesses evaluated the impact of their well-being spending.
"Unless a business has evidence of the positive impact well-being initiatives have made, there is a danger they could fall away when there is a pressure on budgets," added Willmott. "It is important for business with well-being initiatives to measure performance, staff turnover and absence rates."
According to the survey, minor illnesses are the number one cause of short-term absence. For long-term absence, back pain affects the majority of manual employees. Work-related stress, such as workload, management style, and long hours, is the leading cause of absence for non-manual employees.
"Some of the well-being measures small firms could introduce include providing a water cooler and information about hydration, as well as encouraging exercise outside of work. The important thing is not to have a Big Brother approach, look at what you can provide and give employees the option to take it up," Wilmott said.
"Attempts to promote employee well-being and manage absence will be undermined unless they are underpinned by good people management and effective work organisation," he added.
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