Aside from stress, Covid-19, long Covid cases, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis were the prominent reasons for increased sick leave.
The report highlights the need for employers to offer greater support to facilitate employees' return to work.
It’s mainly because many firms grapple with recruitment difficulties and a shortage of skilled staff.
The study found employees were absent for an average of 7.8 days over the past year.
It’s up from 5.8 days in 2019, marking the highest rate since 2010.
Rachel Suff, senior employee wellbeing adviser at the CIPD, said: “External factors like the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have had profound impacts on many people’s wellbeing.”
This rise in sick leave coincides with a growing employee demand for flexible work arrangements, including remote work.
Caring responsibilities, increased costs, and workplace stress drive it.
A recent KPMG report revealed that 40 percent of UK workers are considering a career change due to rising living costs.
This reflects shifting employment priorities amid a challenging economic environment.
The UK's low productivity remains a concern, with ongoing political uncertainty, high interest rates, and sluggish growth expected in the year's second half.
