Business leaders feel torn between their emotions and business duties when dealing with employees on long-term absence.

According to a survey by Aviva, half of employers (50%) questioned consider long-term sick leave to be an issue for their business with 27% admitting it gives them a major 'staffing headache'.

But despite the impact staff sickness may have on a business, the research showed employers also feel the strain emotionally. The modern day employer is tasked with managing more complex illnesses in the workplace.

While musculoskeletal problems still heavily contribute to work absence (27%), organisations now have to deal with highly emotive conditions such as cancer (19%), mental health issues (30%) and drink and drug related issues (16%). One in five employers (16%) have experienced staff with heart problems. While traditional business pressures remain - with just over a third (34%) stating that they were concerned how to balance legal obligations to the employee whilst managing the business, employers increasingly face emotional challenges.

Over half (61%) of employers say their primary concern when an employee goes on long-term absence is the health and wellbeing of the employee. A further 23% are anxious about the pressure this absence would put on other employees' workloads. Survival rates from conditions such as cancer are improving and many employees are eager to return to the normality of the office. Yet, nearly one in five (17%) employers admitted when dealing with someone with a potentially life threatening condition, they would find it even harder to manage the needs of business and their duty of care to the employee.

Just over one in 10 (14%) said they would be anxious about finding a way to deal with the employee without upsetting them. Steve Bridger, head of group risk at Aviva UK Health said: "The Government's recent decision to commission David Frost and Dame Carol Black to conduct an independent review of the sickness absence system is long overdue. Our research clearly shows that many companies are affected by long-term sickness absence.

Employees need care and consideration when they are unwell but, crucially they also need expert physical and psychological support to help them return to, and stay in work. "The key to successful absence management is about prevention as well as treating problems once they arise.

At Aviva we are constantly working with our group risk customers to understand what's driving their sickness absence rates. Through this we can help them put in place solutions that offer their employees the support they need while helping to drive down absence rates. "Our group income protection for example, offers employers financial support and enables employees to access a wide range of rehabilitation support to help speed their recovery and return to work. When complemented with occupational health services and additional insurances to encourage employees to lead a healthy lifestyle and aid early intervention, the benefits to both the employer and employee can increase significantly."