As reported the HR Director, short-term, frequent sickness absence has emerged as the biggest challenge facing employers, according to research from HR consultancy WorkNest

Findings show that a third of small businesses cite managing short, repeated absences as their primary sickness-related concern. The issue is expected to intensify following upcoming reforms to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), which will significantly expand eligibility and payment obligations.

From April, SSP will be payable from the first day of sickness, removing the current three unpaid waiting days. In addition, the lower earnings limit will be abolished, extending entitlement to the lowest-paid workers. The government estimates that around 1.3 million employees will become newly eligible for SSP as a result.

Employers are expected to face increased costs and operational pressures as more short absences become payable and sick pay more closely reflects employees’ actual earnings.

The survey also found mixed confidence levels among employers when it comes to managing sickness absence. While most respondents described themselves as “somewhat confident”, only a small minority said they were very confident. One in ten admitted they lacked confidence entirely. Tracey Burke, senior HR consultant at WorkNest, warned that employers should review absence policies now, ensuring processes are clear, well communicated and applied consistently to manage the risk of rising absence rates.