The cost of workers' sickness in the UK has surged to £103 billion in 2023, marking a £30 billion increase since 2018, primarily driven by rising presenteeism.

Of this £30 billion increase, £25 billion is attributed to lower productivity as employees work while unwell, while £5 billion is due to an increase in sick days.

On average, UK employees now lose 44 days of productivity per year due to working through illness, a significant rise from 35 days in 2018.

Additionally, employees are taking an average of 6.7 sick days annually, up from 3.7 days in 2018, highlighting a concerning trend toward greater presenteeism.

The report reveals that employees from marginalized ethnic groups and lower-quality jobs are more likely to work through illness, with Black or Asian employees being twice as likely to do so compared to their white British counterparts.

Dr. Jamie O’Halloran from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) emphasized that UK workers often feel pressured to work while sick, which negatively impacts their wellbeing and productivity.

Tina Woods, CEO of Business for Health, highlighted the staggering costs to businesses due to productivity losses from employees working while sick.

Recent research indicates that mental health training for line managers could save companies millions by reducing sick days and improving employee retention.

The IPPR report advocates for a new tax incentive for companies that enhance workforce health and suggests that businesses should report on worker health similarly to climate emissions reporting.

The report calls for government action to penalize businesses that harm employee health while encouraging those that support workforce wellness.

UK workers are among the least likely in Europe to take sick days, often feeling pressured to work through illness, which significantly affects productivity.

The report warns that working while ill can hinder recovery and spread illnesses, negatively impacting both employee health and business productivity.