Are employees more or less likely to ring in sick during a recession? According to research by employers’ group Ibec, workplace absenteeism fell during the worst years of the downturn here.

However, before jumping to any conclusions about workers and job security, the survey also suggests absenteeism fell significantly during the boom years.

Ibec’s report, which is based on data from 452 companies employing almost 100,000 employees, found the level of absenteeism dropped to 2.35 per cent in 2013, equating to 5.5 days per year, from 2.58 per cent in 2009.

The research also indicates absenteeism has fallen by more than two days per year over the last decade.

The survey, which is published today to coincide with an Ibec-hosted conference on occupation health and safety in Dublin, does not conclude which had a bigger impact absenteeism – the boom or the bust.

Management

“The crisis appears to have led to a reduced level of absenteeism, however absence management remains a serious issue for many employers,” Ibec’s Maeve McElwee said.

“While not all absence can be eliminated, there remains room for improvement,” she said.

“Pro-active measures by employers such as holding return to work interviews and putting in place employee health and well-being supports can help reduce absence.”