What’s the state of sickness absence in 2025?
Employee sickness absence is rising across the UK and beyond, and the burden of managing it falls to HR leaders and people managers. Behind the 2025 headlines, however, lies a more complex story. One that touches on productivity, long-term sickness absence, wellbeing, and the evolving expectations of today’s workforce.
Our new State of Absence Report 2025 brings together the data, insights and practical strategies HR professionals need to take proactive ownership of absence in their own organisations.
Below is a quick snapshot of what you’ll find in the full report.
Why is absence rising, and why does it matter?
Sickness absence has climbed to record levels, with the average UK employee now taking 9.4 days of sick leave per year – almost double pre-pandemic levels.
Across the global workforce, mental health challenges, stress, musculoskeletal issues, and even economic pressures are reshaping how (and how often) people work. Some countries are experiencing unprecedented rises in absence levels, while others face spikes in presenteeism that silently undermine productivity.
Our report explores these regional differences, unpacking what HR leaders can learn from them.
The hidden costs of absence
Absence doesn’t just affect attendance. It impacts team morale, operational continuity, service delivery and budgets. Those costs are often ignored, missed or underappreciated, and are often in the form of:
- presenteeism, especially among remote and home workers
- increased workloads placed on already stretched teams
- expensive temporary cover and skills gaps
- delays and productivity losses that trickle across different departments
Even small improvements in managing absence can have a measurable impact, and our report shares the metrics you should be tracking to ensure you’re minimising these costs, and putting your people’s wellbeing at the top of your priority lists.
Is absence management still too reactive?
Despite growing awareness and commitment towards employee wellbeing, more than a third of HR leaders admit their organisation is still responding after the problem occurs, particularly regarding mental health and stress-related work absences.
The report outlines why proactive interventions matter now more than ever, and offers practical recommendations for:
- strengthening absence processes
- improving data visibility
- supporting people managers
- enhancing wellbeing without increasing costs
- using flexibility as a smart, preventative tool
Want the full picture?
For all of the statistics, insights and key takeaways, download the full report below to help you strengthen productivity, support employee wellbeing, and get ahead of rising absence trends in your organisation.
