This report by the CIPD, in partnership with Simplyhealth, reveals a record rise in sickness absence, with UK employees averaging 9.4 days per year – the highest in more than 15 years. Mental ill health remains the leading cause of both short- and long-term absence. Encouragingly, more employers are developing standalone wellbeing strategies and there is a growing recognition that investment delivers measurable returns, including improved health and wellbeing (54%), increased employee engagement and reduced sickness absence (both at 39%), and enhanced performance (38%). The report emphasises that HR is uniquely positioned to champion a preventative approach to health and remove barriers to healthcare access and sets out key recommendations to help employers develop and maintain supportive, productive workplaces.