01
Early support is key
Proactive intervention and timely support are crucial for reducing the frequency and duration of employee absence.
Sector Insight
04 / 09
What we're seeing across Workforce health & absence management
Our point of view
Four shifts shaping Workforce health & absence management
04 / 04
02
Line managers are pivotal
Equipping line managers with practical guidance ensures consistent support and effective return-to-work discussions across the organisation.
03
Data-driven insights are essential
Connecting absence patterns with interventions provides clear evidence of impact, helping employers identify risks and improve attendance.
04
Integrated programmes deliver results
The most effective absence programmes combine early support, confident line managers, and clear data for commercial benefit.
The Numbers
What the data is telling us
04 / 04
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UK employees averaged 9.4 sick days in the CIPD’s 2025 survey, up from 5.8 before the pandemic.
Absence is rising significantly
Increased absence directly impacts productivity and operational costs. Even small improvements in attendance can yield substantial commercial benefits for large frontline workforces.
Source · CIPD’s 2025 survey
02
Employers are moving towards earlier intervention
Proactive support for conditions like mental health and musculoskeletal issues reduces lost working time. Timely intervention and clear return-to-work pathways minimise disruption and maintain workforce capacity.
03
Line managers are central to the response
Empowering line managers with practical guidance for sensitive conversations and signposting ensures consistent support. This fosters a healthier work environment and more effective absence management across teams.
04
Buyers need evidence that absence support works
Demonstrating the impact of absence interventions through data provides a clear view of risk and return on investment. This enables informed decision-making and continuous improvement in workforce health strategies.
Selected case studies
Outcomes we've delivered for similar businesses
Case study
Human risk management platform
Challenge
Culture AI's HubSpot data was outdated, inaccurate, and unreliable, leading to a lack of trust among teams. Inconsistent use and conflicting information across departments hindered effective operations.
What we delivered
Forbidden conducted a full audit, identifying inefficiencies and data inconsistencies across the HubSpot portal. They developed a detailed implementation plan, focusing on clean-up, process improvements, reporting, and training.
Outcome
The rebuilt HubSpot portal significantly improved data accuracy and reporting capabilities for Culture AI. This enabled more effective collaboration between sales, service, and marketing teams, restoring trust in their CRM.
Case study
Specialist mental health training provider
Challenge
Red Umbrella lacked the infrastructure to support its growth, relying on manual processes and spreadsheets. This led to limited visibility across sales, marketing, and course delivery, hindering scalability.
What we delivered
Forbidden implemented a fully integrated HubSpot system, including Sales Hub for automated lead nurturing and Xero integration. They also created custom objects for Care Coins and automated training delivery processes.
Outcome
The client gained a scalable system with structured, trackable sales and automated training delivery. Care Coins became a productised offering with real-time tracking, improving overall operational efficiency and visibility.