Does the UK have a “sick note culture”?

Right now, around 2.8 million people in the UK are off work due to long-term sickness. That’s an increase of 40% compared to 2019. And according to a forecast by the Centre for Economics and Business Research and Zurich Insurance, if that upward trend continues, absences will cost the economy £66.3billion a year by 2030 in lost productivity.

Faced with those statistics, it’s understandable why some business figures are worried. However, to interpret those statistics simply as evidence that the UK has a “sick note culture” fails to address what’s really happening in workplaces up and down the country, something the Occupational Health experts at YourGP are keen to explore.

The most common reasons for long-term sick leave

According to the Office of National Statistics, the most common reasons UK workers were off due to long-term sickness in 2023/24 were:

• Mental / behavioural disorders
• Musculoskeletal / connective tissue
• Other
• Progressive illness, unclassified
• Autism
• Chest / respiratory problems
• Heart / blood pressure / circulation
• Stomach / liver / kidney / digestion
• Learning difficulties

What’s going on behind the scenes?

Every long-term sickness case is individual and there often a variety of factors involved. This is certainly true when it comes to mental health issues, the most common reason for long-term sick leave.

Factors outwith the workplace can often contribute to poor mental health, such as relationship breakdowns and poor physical health. But there are also lots of internal workplace factors that can negatively impact a person’s mental health, such as:

• Burnout due to unmanageable workloads
• Lack of training or support
• Feeling unheard or undervalued
• Job instability, fear of redundancy or changes
• Toxic work culture and poor relationships with colleagues and management
• Bullying, harassment or discrimination

How employers can help

Global events such as the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have undoubtedly left an impact on many people’s mental health and wellbeing. Given the sheer scale and magnitude of these issues, it is understandable that many employers feel limited in how much they can actually minimise that impact on their employees’ mental health.

However, there are plenty of practical ways employers can minimise any internal workplace factors that have the potential to affect someone’s mental health:

• Be mindful of employees’ workloads. Encourage regular breaks to enable workers to decompress, and be respectful of people’s work / life boundaries – for example by scheduling work emails to be sent during working hours only.
• Invest in mental health and training and support so all team members know what warning signs to look out for.
• Create an open and supportive culture of communication where employees can discuss any issues freely.
• Promote a zero tolerance policy when it comes to any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination in the workplace.

A final note from the Occupational Health experts

Whilst the rising numbers of people on long-term sick leave may at first glance seem alarming, it is important to recognise that some of that increase is due to a reduction in the stigma that surrounds mental health. More people are now speaking up about their mental health and being signed off work whilst they receive the care and support they need, and that is a real positive.

Speak to the experts

If you would like to speak to an Occupational Health professional about ways you can reduce long-term sickness absence in your workplace, you can make an appointment at YourGP. We can also work with you to ensure your employees’ return to work is a supportive one. Simply call 0131 225 5656 or email occhealth@your.gp and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.