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HSE press release E009:06 - 31 January 2006
Absence costs UK economy
£12 billion every year
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath yesterday underlined the cost
of sickness absence to the British economy. The latest estimate puts the
cost to the economy at around £12 billion per year, with absenteeism
in the private sector making up around £8 billion of the total.
Addressing a Human Resources Director summit Lord Philip Hunt said, “The
workplace in the 21 st century is a fast paced, dynamic and highly stimulating
environment. It brings a number of benefits and opportunities, however, with
these benefits comes new risks. Sickness absence and return to work policies
are only worth having if they have the full support of directors and top-level
managers. After all, leadership starts from the top.”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Department for Work and Pension (DWP)
and Department of Health (DH) recently launched a new strategy, Health Work
and Well-Being, aimed at tackling sickness absence across the public and
private sectors to improve the occupational health of the British workforce.
Stress is among the biggest problems in British workplaces, with the cost
to the British economy being estimated at £3.7 billion per year, but
added to this figure is the immeasurable amount of personal cost that stress
and economic inactivity brings. HSE’s stress management standards, launched
in 2004, give employers some simple steps to follow to identify stress at
an early stage and a simple guide to possible measures that can be taken
to reduce the problem before it gets to the point of staff absence. The management
standards were designed in consultation with industry, trade unions, HR professionals
and key academics.
Employers and employees are encouraged to work in partnership to solve issues
of occupational ill health. A joined up approach is vital if absenteeism
is to be reduced and potential future problems identified early and addressed.
Lord Hunt continued, “The management standards are key to bringing about
change and are vital if we are to continue improving the fabric of our society
as an inclusive and prosperous nation and continue ensuring that individuals
have access to fulfilling employment in a healthy and safe working environment.”
Notes to editors:
1. The cost to the economy and the numbers of cases of stress in British
workplaces is taken from the 2004/2005 Self reported Work-related Illness
report. This can be viewed at: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.htm
2. HSE revitalising health and safety targets commit to reducing cases of
occupational ill health by 10% by 2010 and sickness absence by 15% by 2010.
The latest health and safety statistics can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm
3. More information on the stress management standards can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm
4. Information about HSE’s wider health agenda can be viewed at: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/plans/healthagenda.htm
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