The annual 'Absence and Labour Turnover Survey' revealed that workplace absence increased to an average of seven days per year in 2006, accounting for 175 million lost working days and costing the UK economy £13.4 billion.

Although the private sector has a lower rate of long-term absence than the public sector (38% against 52%), the CBI claims short-term absences are still a problem, accounting for 21 million lost working days per year.

The CBI claims employers need to develop tighter sickness policies in order to combat the rising rate of employee absenteeism. A spokesperson said:

"Some degree of short-term absence is inevitable, but there is a lot that employers can do to manage it. The best organisations use a carrot and stick approach to reward good attendees and tackle the worst offenders."