WA22

Cost of sick leave hits £11.6bn

The amount of sick leave being taken by employees has increased for the first time in five years, according to a recent survey of 500 UK firms.

176 million sick days were taken last year, at an estimated cost to industry of £11.6bn.

This figure represents an increase of 10 million since 2002.

Employers believe that 15% of sick claims were not legitimate.

John Cridland, deputy director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said, 'Firms understand that the majority of absence is due to genuine minor sickness, but absence is a serious and expensive concern that is on the increase'.

Meanwhile, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber warned that employers should take steps to deal with serious illnesses, including stress and back pain, which are a major cause of long-term absence.

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