The government must recognise the impact that unauthorised absences has on small firms as they consider the health of the workforce today, businesses say.
The Forum for Private Business (FPB) say that small companies are regularly hit by staff not turning up and are losing thousands of pounds as a consequence.
They are warning that the government ‘can't afford to be absent minded’ as ministers launch a charter to promote health and well-being in the workplace at the Work and Well-Being National Stakeholder Council.
In a survey of business owners, the FPB found 71.4% of respondents have suffered through staff absence and that 50% of respondents stated that absences cost them up to £2,000.
As a consequence nearly two thirds of smaller employers have introduced sickness management to reduce absence.
These include measures such as restricting paid absences, return to work interviews and incentives for good attendance.
The FPB's representative on the government council, Tim Kind, said: "The Government can't afford to be absent minded when it comes to issues on health and the workplace.
“We welcome the Charter as a framework document because absence in small businesses bears a disproportionate burden upon them. Our members want to encourage and support staff to be fit to work and fit in work.”
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