A growing number of companies are contending with a surge in unexplained absences as employees, particularly in lower-wage sectors such as retail and hospitality, are increasingly not showing up for work, according to leading employment lawyer Nick Hurley, partner and head of employment at Charles Russell Speechlys.
Hurley noted that his firm has observed a significant uptick in businesses seeking advice on how to address unexplained absences, with the numbers more than tripling since the onset of the pandemic. The phenomenon is particularly pronounced in sectors where wages and skills are relatively lower, leaving employers grappling with unforeseen staff shortages.
The rise in unexplained absences is attributed to a combination of heightened mental health issues, particularly prevalent among the younger workforce, and a pervasive sense of apathy among employees. Conditions such as depression and anxiety have become more widespread since the pandemic, contributing to a record 2.8 million people being out of work due to long-term sickness.
Hurley pointed out that the surge is also fueled by a workforce that feels confident in their ability to secure employment swiftly elsewhere. The pervasive signs proclaiming “Staff Wanted” in sectors like restaurants and hospitality attest to the ongoing struggle with staffing shortages, even as the unemployment rate hovers close to historical lows at 3.8%.
The post-Covid shift towards more permissive work arrangements has inadvertently opened avenues for some individuals to exploit the system, taking advantage of laxer disciplinary structures. This trend places an additional burden on workplaces, necessitating increased legal advice seeking for disciplinary options and the organization of last-minute cover, resulting in substantial costs for employers.
As companies grapple with these challenges, the surge in unexplained absences adds a layer of complexity to workforce management, underscoring the broader impact of mental health issues on the professional landscape.