Employers should brace themselves for a significant rise in sickness absences as we approach the final three months of the year.
According to data from BrightHR’s absence management software, which monitors over 750,000 employees at approximately 65,000 companies across the UK, nearly one third of all sickness absences from 2020-2023 took place between October and December, highlighting the impact of cold winter weather and seasonal illness on workplace attendance.
But which month is the ‘sickest’ of them all? BrightHR data suggests it could be October.
In 2023, October saw a higher number of sickness absences than any other month, with a 122% increase on the monthly average. This spike correlated with a 186% rise in absences attributed to Covid-19, alongside significant increases of 157% and 164% in flu and common cold cases respectively.
While October 2023 may have been uniquely severe due to the rollout of Covid-19 and influenza vaccines and associated side effects, aggregated data from BrightHR shows that October consistently ranks as one of the worst months in the year for sickness absences, a trend driven primarily by poor mental health.
From 2020-2023, October saw a higher proportion of sickness absences attributed to poor mental health than any other month, with mental-health related absences increasing by around 112% against the monthly average.
Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR, comments: “October typically marks the beginning of a noticeable increase in sickness absences due to flu, colds, and mental health issues. Although last year was particularly severe, with CIPD research showing sickness absence rates jumped to their highest in a decade, our data consistently shows October as one of ‘sickest’ months of the year.
To mitigate the impact, employers should consider implementing flexible working arrangements, promoting flu vaccinations, and providing mental health support. Encouraging a culture of openness where employees feel comfortable discussing their health, and reminding employees of any support in place such as access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), can also make a significant difference.
Understanding these trends allows businesses to plan ahead, ensuring adequate staffing levels and support systems are in place. By being proactive, employers can help maintain productivity and support their workforce through the challenging winter months.”