'Sickies' cost firms £2.5bn each year

Employees took 180 million sick days last year, averaging 6.4 days each, down from 6.7 in 2007 and the lowest since the CBI survey began in 1987.

The impact of staff absence remains "considerable", with the 180 million sick days costing employers about 16.8 billion last year, plus indirect costs like reductions in customer service.

About 15 per cent, or 27 million sick days, were not genuine, costing the country 2.5bn a year.