The unexpected solution to workplace absenteeism

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We all know that staff sickness and absenteeism are costly problems for businesses. You may be surprised to learn that the total cost of sickness absence to UK employers in 2022 was around £24 billion — which is roughly the equivalent to the GDP generated by Newcastle.

Reasons for absenteeism can range from mental health concerns to workplace stress and dissatisfaction. When Illness forces employees to take time off, disrupting workflows, and impacting productivity, these can be costly problems for businesses.

There are many workplace wellbeing initiatives to reduce these escalating costs, but despite evidence showing that these initiatives can have a negative impact, there is one exception.

The volunteer advantage

Perhaps a surprising solution is to allow employees to do more and not less – through workplace or skills-based volunteering.

The recent report "The Triple Dividend" published by Pro Bono Economics for Pilotlight, drawing on skilled volunteering programmes, has revealed some compelling findings:

• The toll of illness: The total number of working days lost to sickness absence hit 186 million in 2022. On average, each worker now takes about 1.5 additional sick days annually compared to 2019
• Chronic conditions: Workers with long-term health issues have been hardest hit, with a staggering 700,000 of them dropping out of the workforce completely since the pandemic began
• The cost of presenteeism: Presenteeism, where unwell employees keep working at reduced capacity, increasing the risk of passing illnesses onto other employees – further impacting productivity.

Ensuring all employees have access to volunteering opportunities could save between 1.4 million and 2.5 million working days of sickness absence. Driving up productivity through better health and improved skills as staff learn on our experiential learning programmes.

The benefits of volunteering are threefold:

• Improved employee wellbeing: Studies indicate skills-based volunteering lowers stress, boosting self-esteem and promoting mental and physical health
• A boost to skills and confidence: As staff develop both professionally and personally their productivity for employers is increased, building their skill sets and gaining confidence that translates back to their workplace roles
• Community impact: Businesses are helping charities to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society.

But that’s not all. Further business benefits can include:

• Rolling out workplace volunteering to all staff could save 1.4 to 2.5 million sick days, equivalent to a 1% reduction in UK total sick days
• High-skilled volunteers experience an estimated £2,300 earnings boost
• Our own skilled volunteering programmes, which serve as leadership development for employees as well, could deliver between £1.50 and £3.60 of benefits for every £1 spent.

And charities gain too

Beyond the benefits to employees and to employers, charities gain too.

Right now, charities are facing staff burn-out due to rising demand for services and challenges recruiting both volunteers and staff. Implementing workplace volunteering would bring a significant benefit: a fresh influx of volunteers, providing much-needed support during this critical time for the sector. This would ensure that these organisations can continue their impactful work in our communities, amplifying their impact even further.

Ensuring employees have the opportunity to participate in volunteering opportunities makes good business sense for everyone involved. The percentage of recent volunteers using their professional skills has risen from 50% in 2019 to 60% in 2023, demonstrating the growing impact of skilled volunteering.

Beyond the bottom line

It might seem counterintuitive, but encouraging employees to dedicate work hours to volunteering isn't merely an act of goodwill. It's a strategic investment. Healthier, more engaged workers benefit the individual, the community, and the company.

While there's no single cure for rising sickness and absenteeism, businesses would be wise to consider adding skills-based volunteering to their toolkit. Pilotlight specialises in connecting employees with impactful volunteer and learning opportunities. Maybe it's time for your company to give it a try. After all, as the recent report suggests, the dividends might just surprise you.