Sick Leave (BBC Website)

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Claims that UK workers take too much time off work due to illness have been

branded a " myth " by a TUC report.

 

The report said UK employees take fewer days off as a result of short term

sickness than workers in all other European countries, except Denmark.

 

A far bigger problem than short term absenteeism is workers struggling into

work when sick and infecting their colleagues, the report added.

 

However, one employer group said that 15% of sick leave was not genuine.

 

 

Countries with the worst short term sickness rates

 

Portugal

 

Italy

 

Belgium

 

Germany

 

France

 

Netherlands

 

Source: TUC Sick Note Britain survey

 

" Sick note Britain is an urban myth. We take less time off than most other

countries, and public sector staff are less likely to take time off for a

short term illness, " TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said.

 

" When employers complain of sick note Britain, they are attacking some of

Europe's most loyal employees. "

 

According to the report, out of 12 EU countries looked at, workers in the UK

were amongst the least likely to take time off due to short term illness.

 

In fact, less than 5% of working time was lost in the UK due to short term

sickness.

 

 

Countries with the best short term sickness rates

 

Denmark

 

UK

 

Austria

 

Sweden

 

Ireland

 

Norway

 

Source: TUC Sick Note Britain survey

 

Major economic competitors such as Germany, France and Italy all lost more

than 5% of working time due to short term sickness.

 

Portuguese workers took the most time off sick, with nearly 10% of working

time lost to short term illness.

 

Flexible working

 

Nevertheless, Mr Barber called for the introduction of more flexible working

to help cut sick leave in the private and public sectors.

 

In response, the CBI's Richard Dodd told BBC News that most employers

already offered flexible working.

 

 

Employers have told us that up to 15% of absence is not genuine

 

 

Richard Dodd, CBI

 

The CBI already produces its own annual sickness report.

 

" Our research has shown that 84% of employees offer their workers some form

of flexible working arrangement. "

 

In addition, Mr Dodd said that the fact the report focused on short term

sickness rather than long term sickness meant its conclusions were flawed.

 

" The total bill for sick days is £11.7bn a year, the vast majority of this

cost arises from long term absence. "

 

" As for bogus sickness being a myth, employers have told us that up to 15%

of absence is not genuine. "

 

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