UK businesses are losing an estimated £103bn a year to workplace sickness, a rise of 41% in just five years, according to new research. The analysis highlights that £25bn of the cost comes from presenteeism – employees turning up to work despite being unwell, leading to reduced productivity.
Data shows a clear link between employee health and output: 93% of staff in good physical and mental health are productive, compared with just 67% of those with poorer wellbeing. On average, UK employees lose the equivalent of 44 days’ productivity each year by working while ill.
Presenteeism doesn’t just damage company performance; it can sap team morale and stall business growth. Experts warn that many employees feel pressured to work through illness or take on excessive hours, pointing to the need for cultural and policy changes.
Employers are being encouraged to monitor not only absenteeism but also signs of presenteeism – with regular catch-ups and wellbeing surveys recommended as ways to spot struggling employees.
As part of a preventative health strategy, Bupa has partnered with GoJoe, the global health and performance platform, to help its business health insurance customers improve staff wellbeing.
Early results suggest GoJoe users experience a 60% boost in workplace productivity and a 70% uplift in wellbeing within just two weeks. The app encourages healthier lifestyles through fitness, nutrition and wellbeing challenges, fostering better cognitive performance and resilience.
Richard Norris, Commercial Director at Bupa, said: “Physical and mental health are deeply connected. When people feel well, they perform at their best. Our partnership with GoJoe reflects our commitment to helping organisations build healthier, more resilient teams.”
Will Turner, co-founder and CEO of GoJoe, added: “Employers want to do more to support staff health while managing rising costs. Our partnership with Bupa is an innovative way to deliver end-to-end preventative health support, improving engagement and performance.”
The partnership will be available to new and renewing Bupa Business Health Insurance customers, with a focus on supporting larger corporate clients. By embedding health and wellbeing initiatives into everyday working life, Bupa and GoJoe aim to reduce presenteeism, improve productivity and ease the mounting costs of poor workplace health.
