Long-term sickness absence is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing employers across Northern Ireland.
While short-term absences still happen, many organisations are now seeing a rise in more complex and longer-lasting health issues linked to stress, mental health, and chronic conditions. For employers, this can mean increased disruption, rising costs, heavier workloads for managers, and growing pressure on teams.
Recent Northern Ireland Civil Service figures showed employees lost an average of 13.4 working days to sickness absence during 2024–25, with the estimated financial impact reaching almost £49 million. Across the wider UK, employees are now taking more sick days than at any point in the last 15 years.
The biggest concern for employers is not occasional short-term illness, it is the growth in long-term sickness absence.
Why Long-Term Absence Is Increasing
Long-term sickness absence is becoming a growing challenge for employers across the UK, with several key factors contributing to the rise.
One of the biggest drivers is the increase in work-related stress, anxiety, burnout, and other mental health conditions. Mental health is now one of the leading causes of long-term absence in UK workplaces, with many employees requiring extended time away from work and ongoing support to return safely and sustainably.
At the same time, musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, joint problems, and repetitive strain injuries continue to result in prolonged absences, particularly in physically demanding roles or environments involving repetitive tasks and poor ergonomics.
Employers are also seeing the impact of an ageing workforce, with employees more likely to experience long-term or complex health conditions that can affect their ability to work. In addition, post-pandemic health challenges, including long COVID and delayed treatment for underlying medical conditions, continue to contribute to longer recovery periods and increased absence levels.
As absence cases become more complex, many employers find it increasingly difficult to balance employee wellbeing, operational pressures, and their legal responsibilities. Managing long-term absence fairly, consistently, and confidently requires both time and specialist expertise.
This is where Health Matters (Occupational Health) can help. Our occupational health team supports employers across Northern Ireland with practical, professional guidance that helps businesses manage absence fairly, proactively, and with confidence.
Why Employers Need a More Proactive Approach
Long-term sickness absence can affect every part of a business. Productivity suffers, workloads increase for other employees, and managers are often left dealing with sensitive health issues without specialist support.
Waiting until absence becomes a serious problem is rarely effective.
Early intervention is one of the best ways to prevent short-term health concerns developing into prolonged absence. Having access to occupational health advice at the right stage can help employers understand what support an employee may need, whether workplace adjustments are appropriate, and how a safe return to work can be achieved.
At Health Matters (Occupational Health), we work with employers to provide:
- Occupational health assessments
- Fitness for work advice
- Support with long-term sickness absence management
- Return-to-work planning
- Guidance on workplace adjustments and employee wellbeing
Our goal is to help organisations reduce disruption while supporting healthier, more productive workplaces.
Mental Health Support Is Now Essential
Workplace mental health is no longer something employers can afford to overlook.
Employees are increasingly open about stress, anxiety, and burnout, but many organisations still feel unsure about how to manage mental health-related absence effectively.
Creating a supportive workplace culture, encouraging early conversations, and providing access to professional support can make a significant difference.
Health Matters helps employers take a practical approach to workplace wellbeing by supporting both managers and employees through occupational health guidance designed to reduce risk and improve long-term outcomes.
Supporting Employers Across Northern Ireland
Sickness absence trends are changing, and employers need to adapt.
Businesses that invest in employee wellbeing, early intervention, and occupational health support are often better equipped to reduce absence levels, protect productivity, and support staff retention.
At Health Matters (Occupational Health), we help employers across Northern Ireland manage workplace health challenges with clear, independent occupational health support tailored to their organisation.
If your business is experiencing rising sickness absence or struggling to manage long-term employee health issues, our team is here to help.