Absence is running at 7% in the UK and only 38% of employers are achieving their targets on staff absence rates, according to the Professional Planning Forum on Absence.

But a report from the forum shows 78% of employers believe they are offering a ‘robust' absence management policy, 43% think they offer adequate work-life balance benefits and 42% maintain they recruit the right people for the job.

Attrition is more positive, with 68% achieving their individual targets on staff attrition -  the average rate for the UK is 23%.

But although 72% of employers think their attrition rates are excellent or satisfactory, this drops to 54% when looking at those who leave within the first year of employment.

Employers believe successful attrition programmes are down to recruiting the right people for the job (60%), developing skills (44%), offering flexible working (37%), good management and employee communication (34%) and company ethos (33%).