Absenteeism costs firms €1bn

ABSENTEEISM cost small business €1.1 billion this year as eight million days were lost to the economy.

A survey from ISME, which represents Irish small and medium businesses, highlights that the number of days being lost in the sector is on the rise, adding to the growing cost burden of Irish companies.

Covering more than 2,000 companies employing about 50,000 people, the survey found that on average, employees are absent for eight days annually, excluding holidays and other authorised absences.