Absence Benchmark 2026

20.04.2026

Make UK’s benchmarking reports are designed to give busy HR professionals in manufacturing clear, practical insights into the trends shaping their workforce.

The Absence Benchmark 2026 provides an overview of sickness absence across the sector, drawing on the latest data from manufacturers. It explores how absence levels and days lost have shifted over the past year, and how patterns vary across different types of employees, businesses and regions.

This year’s report reflects a changing landscape, with absence patterns beginning to normalise following recent disruption, while still being influenced by wider workforce and economic factors. It also looks at the evolving drivers behind absence, including the balance between physical health, wellbeing, and employer support.

Alongside this, the benchmark considers the impact of recent policy developments, including changes to statutory sick pay, and the continued focus on workplace health at a national level. It explores how manufacturers are responding and what this could mean for absence management in the months ahead.

Inside this year’s benchmark:

• Overall sickness absence trends
• Days lost to sickness absence
• Breakdown by employee type, company size, sector and region
• Key drivers of absence and wellbeing trends
• Policy developments and employer response