A "Long Term Sickness Absence" is any sickness period taken out of work that lasts four weeks or more. Using government data covering the 2018 period, these are the jobs where staff are most and least likely to take a LTSA. Percentages have been rounded up in some cases.
5. Technicians, equipment operators and other associate professional and technical occupations
Workers in this field have a 4% chance of needing to take a LTSA, with 143,000 out of 35,79000 employees taking one in 2018. 30% of these absences were due to mental health problems Photo: Shutterstock
6. Teachers, doctors and other professional occupations
Based on data from 2018, professional workers like teachers, editors or lawyers have a 3.9% chance of needing to take a LTSA of 4 weeks or more. Photo: Shutterstock
7. Plumbers, electricians and other skilled trades workers
Out of 18,65000 workers in this field, 72,000 took a LTSA during 2018, making the likelihood of an absence 3.8% for these workers. Musculoskeletal problems like back pain and limb problems were a cause in 36% of cases. Photo: Shutterstock
8. Managers, directors and senior officials
Out of all occupations, managers, directors and senior officials were least likely to take a LTSA, with the likelihood standing at just 3.8%. When they did, however, mental health was the cause in 28% of cases. Photo: Shutterstock