Stress and overwork is blamed for much absenteeism

Absenteeism in the public sector is costing the taxpayer �4bn a year, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) survey suggested.

Overall, workers took 9.12 days off sick on average in 2003, with stress an increasing cause of absence.

The cost of sickness absence has risen from �567 per worker to �588 during the past year, the CIPD said.

Pressure

Colds and flu were the most common cause of sickness absence, but most of the 1,100 employers surveyed said stress-related days off were also on the increase.

High absence industries Drink, tobacco and transport 12 days Central government 11.6 days Health 11.6 days Source: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Heavy workloads, pressure to meet targets and management style were at the root of stress-related illnesses, the CIPD said.

Half of those polled said that they had introduced staff surveys and were employing occupational health professionals to tackle stress.

"Although it is worrying to see stress-related absence on the increase it is encouraging that employers are taking action to address this," said the report's author, Ben Willmott.

Over the top

But unions warned that the rise in sick days was a sign that employees were feeling obliged to push themselves too hard.

"Bosses are obviously not doing enough to protect workers from the dangers of over-work," said Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC.

The survey also found many employers believed doctors issued sick notes too easily.

Low absence industries Consultancy 5.5 days Media and publishing 6 days Telecommunications 7 days Source: CIPD

The highest absence levels were among workers in the food, drink, tobacco and transport industries, health and central government.

The lowest absence levels were in consultancy, media and publishing and telecommunications.

Welsh workers topped the national league for sickness absence with an average of 10.7 days a year, compared with 6.9 days in London.