Employees took 180 million sick days last year, averaging 6.4 days each, according to the latest CBI/Pfizer Absence and Workplace Health Survey. The rate of absence is the lowest since the survey began in 1987, and down slightly from 6.7 days per employee in 2007, the previous surveyed year.

According to the Confederation of British Industry the impact of staff absence is considerable, with the 180 million sick days costing employers about £16.8bn in 2009, plus indirect costs like reductions in customer service and delays to teamwork.

It added that 'sickies' remain a problem with the senior HR staff surveyed at 241 public and private-sector organisations estimating that around 15%, or 27 million sick days weren't genuine, and cost the country £2.5bn a year.

The survey also showed that larger organisations had higher rates of absence than small ones.

Katja Hall, CBI director of employment policy, said: "The rate of employee absence has come down, but it still costs the economy billions of pounds a year. If absence levels across the board could be reduced by 10%, the economy would see annual savings of just under £1.7 billion." The survey highlighted that in the public sector, employees took more sick days, with an average of 8.3 days per year - down from nine days in 2007. The absence level is however 43% higher than the private-sector figure of 5.8 days.

Ms Hall added: "Although the rate of employee absence has fallen in the public sector, it is still a lot higher than in the private sector, and this issue should be addressed, especially given that the public finances are strained. Improved rehabilitation and workplace health policies are a key part of achieving this, but so is ensuring that absence, where it occurs, is justified."