Family and home issues are the top cause for workplace absence for 18% of employers according to research by Group Risk Development (GRID).
By contrast, 15% said workplace stress was the main culprit and 12% of businesses said musculoskeletal disorders were the most common reason for staff absence.
Only acute medical conditions like cancer or heart attacks had equal impact.
The study comes as the new Fit Note initiative is putting far greater emphasis on employers to get staff back to work.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRID, says: "The new Fit Note is geared towards facilitating employees' timely return to work as soon as they are deemed fit to work in any capacity, and links in with the requirement for employers to make reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act.
"Fit Notes should facilitate far greater dialogue between employer and employee, which will be well supported by group income protection (GIP) providers where a GIP policy is in place.
"Their arrival highlights how crucial developing a strong and effective health and wellbeing policy is for business," she adds.
