Over four in five employers (82%) now pro-actively record, monitor and manage absence, according to Group Risk Development (GRiD).
The trade body for the group risk industry, said this is encouraging as it clearly indicates businesses are aware of the importance of monitoring and recording absence as part of an overall health and wellness policy.
It added that 48% are considering publishing their absence stats in their annual report and accounts, while 27% already do so.
The Government has acknowledged the importance of managing absence effectively in its response to the Sickness Absence Review and with this year's Budget granting tax relief on interventions targeted at minimising absence and speeding an employee's return to work.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, commented: "It's great that employers are starting to wise up to the importance of recording absence in the workplace and the benefits this brings to their business - particularly at a time when their positive efforts are mirrored by Government.
"If a new culture of openness prevails, positive moves to manage absence such as implementation of a Group Income Protection policy can be communicated to a larger audience - paving the way for more businesses to make genuinely effective steps to minimise the impact of absence."
