The latest ONS Sickness absence in the labour market: 2016 analysis shows that an estimated 137.3m working days were lost due to sickness or injury in the UK in 2016. This is equivalent to 4.3 days per worker, the lowest recorded since recording began in 1993, when it was at 7.2 days per worker. Minor illnesses (such as coughs and colds) were the most common reason for sickness absence in 2016, accounting for approximately 24.8% of the total days lost. This was followed by musculoskeletal problems (including back pain, neck and upper limb problems) at 22.4%. After ‘other’ conditions, mental health issues (including stress, depression, anxiety and serious conditions) were the next most common reason for sickness absence, resulting in 11.5% of total days lost.

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