Winter sickness season is approaching; however, rates of burnout amongst employees are also on the rise, according to reports stating that the average number of days British employees took off for sick leave has increased by 34% since 2019.¹
To identify six concerning sick leave patterns you SHOULD notice as both an employee and employer, Timetastic has partnered with Dr. Claire Merrifield, a GP and medical director at Selph, highlighting the red flags.
Oliver Higenbottam, Managing Director of staff leave software Timetastic, explains that “employers need to think differently about tracking and managing absences. When sick leave rates skyrocket, data is your best friend. Not only will this allow you to enhance operational efficiency, but more importantly demonstrate genuine care for your employees’ well-being. Ultimately, this balanced approach will lead to a more engaged, productive, and healthy workplace.”
6 sick leave patterns that could be cause for concern
Sporadic sick leave
Dr Merrifield said: “Frequent short-term absences usually indicate one of two things. Either a series of genuine illnesses or dissatisfaction with the workplace. It’s always worth being aware that although sick leave can mean your employee is unhappy, it’s always important to trust that they have a genuine reason for being off.”
Weekend flu
Dr Merrifield advises: “Someone suffering from stress, burnout, anxiety or other mental health issues may find it harder to face work on a Monday morning than other days and similarly may be so exhausted by Friday that they just need a break.”
Comedown crash
Dr Merrifield adds: “I think post-holiday or post-payday absences could be concerning for an employee not being happy or fulfilled at work. I would certainly suggest a compassionate conversation with the employee if you are concerned that there could be something else going on.”
Crunch time cracks
Dr Merrifield comments: “High sick leave rates during busy periods suggest that someone is not coping with a heavy workload. This may be a conscious decision on the part of the employee or it may be that they are more prone to getting sick during busy periods due to stress affecting immunity or predisposing them to conditions like migraines.”
Total team takedown
Dr Merrifield said: “If multiple employees take sick leave at the same time, an obvious cause could be an infectious disease if they are working in a face-to-face capacity or commuting to work. If it’s not an infection then this would likely speak to a toxic work culture and it’s important for employers to sensitively probe as to what could be going on.”
From diligent to distracted
Dr Merrifield explains: “The previously diligent employee who suddenly starts taking sick leave should raise alarm bells and an early conversation in a safe space could help highlight issues early.”
How should workplaces keep track of these patterns?
Oliver suggests: “Ideally employers should conduct monthly and quarterly data reviews to identify emerging trends. This frequency allows management to spot any potential issues early, long-term patterns, seasonal variations, or correlations with work-related factors such as project deadlines or organisational changes. However this can be time-consuming, so employers should be investing in technology that helps them navigate the increasingly complicated world of sickness absence.”
How should employers approach conversations around sick leave patterns?
Dr Merrifield recommends: “If you notice a concerning pattern of sick leave, it’s important to have a sensitive conversation with your employee. This conversation needs to be grounded in trust and not cast doubt on the integrity of the employee.
“It’s vitally important that employers understand if there is dissatisfaction, a toxic work culture, or an unmanageable workload because that’s likely to affect many employees. Company culture can also affect the quality of talent you are likely to be able to recruit, so understanding the temperature of your employees is critical for a successful business.”
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