The Canadian economy took an estimated $16.6 billion hit in 2012 because of worker absenteeism, according to a Conference Board of Canada study released September 23.
The average full-time employee in Canada was away from work for 9.3 days – or nearly two full work weeks – in 2011. These absences ranged from minor illnesses to long-term leaves.
“Absenteeism is more than a human resources issue,” said Nicole Stewart, author of the report.
“Unless organizations start proactively addressing absenteeism, this trend will most likely accelerate as the workforce ages.”
The study found that in spite of the huge economic toll caused by absenteeism, less than half of Canadian businesses track employee days off.
The study found that private-sector workers took off an average of 8.2 days, while public-sector workers were off an average of 12.9 days.
“Although precise international comparisons can be difficult to make, Canada’s absenteeism rate is high when measured against countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom,” the board said in a release.
“Various studies have estimated United States and United Kingdom absenteeism rates at between five and seven days annually per employee.”
