Health-related economic inactivity costs the UK an estimated £212 billion a year – around 7% of GDP – with 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term ill health. Keep Britain Working review.
Your organisation
1.5×
Adjustable from 1× to 3× (default 1.5×).
Estimated true cost, a year
£189,808
≈ £1,898 per employee
Direct cost (wages)
£126,538
≈ £1,265 per employee
True cost = direct wages × the 1.5× multiplier. Adjust any input to update.
Where the cost sits
Indicative split from the leading causes of long-term absence (CIPD 2025).
Drag the handles (or focus one and use ← →) to set your own mix.
Mental health£77,821
Musculoskeletal£58,840
Other causes£53,146
Model a reduction
1.0 daysCutting absence by 1.0 days per employee could save about
£20,192
Saving shown at the true cost (× 1.5). Direct-only saving: £13,462.
Your figure matches the CIPD 2025 UK average of 9.4 days.
This calculator is a business-case illustration to support planning, not a precise forecast or a guarantee of savings. Actual costs and the effect of any intervention vary by organisation. It is general information for employers and is not medical, financial or legal advice.
How this is calculated, and what's included
True cost applies an indirect-cost multiplier (1.5× default, 1–3× adjustable) for cover, overtime, lost productivity, management time and recruitment. Source: Keep Britain Working review (2025).
Direct cost = (salary ÷ 260 working days) × sickness days × employees.
Cause split is the leading causes of long-term absence (mental ill health 41%, musculoskeletal 31%) from CIPD 2025 – indicative and adjustable.
On-costs excluded. Gross salary only; employer's National Insurance, pension and other employment costs add roughly a fifth again to the wage bill, so the real impact is likely higher.
Related services
The cost above is driven by these. We help you bring it down.
Absence management
Early intervention, return-to-work planning and case management to reduce the duration and frequency of absence.
Learn more →Musculoskeletal & physiotherapy
Fast, work-focused assessment and physiotherapy for the back, neck and joint problems behind much absence.
Learn more →Mental health & neurodiversity
Assessment, training and organisational support for the leading cause of long-term absence.
Learn more →See the bigger picture
Talk to our team about reducing sickness absence across your organisation. We answer enquiries within 3 working hours.