UK workers are suffering from “toxic”, stressful conditions and are taking more sick days than at any point in the past 10 years, according to new research. The Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD) has found that UK workers took on average 7.8 sick days in the past year – up from the pre-pandemic average of 5.8. The CIPD, working with healthcare company Simplyhealth, analysed rates of absence across 900-plus organisations, encompassing around 6.5 million employees. “Minor” illnesses and mental health, worry, stress, ongoing Covid cases and the cost-of-living crisis were all reported as the reasons behind the uptick in sick days.