Sickness absence rates have risen to their highest ever levels at 9.4 days per employee per year according to the CIPD 2025 Health and Wellbeing at Work Report, with mental ill health now being the main cause of long-term absence.
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Although the reports notes that 80% of employers offer mental health support, much of it remains reactive rather than preventative and is missing valuable opportunities to help employees address issues before they become unmanageable.
There are various sources of useful information about how to support mental health wellbeing in the workplace, including CIPD guidance but having the correct policies and training in place is a good starting point.