Sickness absence rates in public sector fall, but still lag behind private sector: CBI

Sickness absence rates have improved slightly in the public sector but remain far worse than those of private employees, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry and chemical firm Pfizer.

Their workplace survey found absence from work due to sickness is at its lowest level since 1987.

Employees took 180m sick days in 2009, costing employers £16.8bn and averaging 6.4 days each.

The slight fall from the 6.7 days average found in 2007 was explained by an improvement in the public sector absence rate.

Katja Hall, CBI director of employment policy, said: “If absence levels across the board could be reduced by 10%, the economy would see annual savings of just under £1.7bn.”

Public sector employees took an average of 8.3 days sick per year, against 5.8 days in the private sector.

Hall said: “Although the rate of employee absence has fallen in the public sector, it is still a lot higher than in the private sector, and this issue should be addressed, especially given that the public finances are strained.”

Senior human resources staff surveyed at 241 public and private sector organisations estimated that around 15%, or 27m sick days were not genuine.