The number of sick days taken by workers is at an all time low, according to a new study by the manufacturers' organisation EEF.

The survey shows that overall levels of absence have reached a record low of 2.1%, equivalent to 4.9 days per employee per year.

This remains around the levels seen over the last few years and suggests, in reality, that the situation has plateaued with big inroads into short term absence already made.

However, the survey reveals that long term absence has increased, with almost two fifths of companies saying long term absence has increased in the last two years.

Commenting, Professor Sayeed Khan, chief medical adviser at EEF said: “Driving down absence rates, helping more employees return to work earlier and, encouraging their wellbeing is critical for our economy. But, despite employers increasing investment in managing sickness absence and, providing their employees with more health related benefits, the improvement in overall absence rates has more or less now plateaued.

“From now on the focus has to be on reducing long term absence which is only going to happen if we up our game. This must start by making the ‘Fit Note’ work so that it can make real inroads on delivering the objective of reducing unnecessary sickness absence."