Companies buckling under weight of sickness

COMPANIES IN BARBADOS are paying a heavy price for high levels of absenteeism.

Across sectors, including wholesale and retail, tourism, agriculture, construction, financial services, manufacturing, transportation, storage and communication, millions of dollars are being lost every year because workers are staying away from work on both certified and uncertified sick leave.

Chief programme manager at the Productivity Council, Anthony Sobers, said only 30 per cent of the sick days reported in this country had to do with actual sickness.

In the larger slice of the absenteeism pie, sick days are taken to attend funerals and sporting activities, and to deal with family or personal issues. (CM)

Please read the full story in today’s Sunday Sun, or in the eNATION edition.