Absenteeism reportedly costs the UK economy upwards of £32bn every year, presenting a large scale ongoing challenge for businesses large and small.

Although we all have the occasional ‘sick’ day, long term absence disrupts the workplace, often leaving a massive dent in productivity levels.

While businesses are able to measure absences from work, ever-increasing cases of ‘presenteeism’ can often fly under the radar.

This is where employees turn up to work but are too unwell to be productive.

A problem often referred to as the ‘working sick’, something that tends to be overshadowed by actual employee absence.

But why does ‘presenteeism’ even occur in the workplace?

Many experts have spoken openly about the undoubted impact of the global recession on this matter.

Sick employees often feel being absent is a weakness, feeling forced to come into work to guarantee their jobs and ensure career progression. Secondly, many employees fear seeking out medical advice as they are worried about what they may discover, and often how much it may cost to address

With the task of dealing with repeated, or long term absence, left up to management, many businesses are choosing to tackle the problem of absenteeism and presenteeism strategically.

Low cost health cash plans have become an increasingly popular method implemented in a bid to address both issues, which have a detrimental effect on businesses.

Corporate health cash plans can cover basic services such as optical and dental, but also assist in maintaining the general health of a workforce. Working on the belief that prevention is better than cure, health cash plans actively encourage employees to go for general health checks (unlike expensive PMI policies). Testing for blood pressure, cholesterol and cardiovascular function are all fundamental elements of an employee’s good health, and regular health checks ensure that any problems are identified before they become more serious and potentially start to impede an employee’s ability to work.

With employee health at the core of a successful business, affecting productivity and morale, maintaining this has to be at the forefront of every employer’s mind.

Moreover, healthcare benefits are ranked among the most desirable and valuable perks offered to employees in the UK. Taking this into account, implementing low cost health cash plans will protect the health of employees and promote good health and wellbeing throughout organisations.

For more information visit www.plutushealth.co.uk or call Freephone 0808 178 1179