Employers are seriously underestimating the chances of their workforce being affected by serious illness or bereavement in the year ahead, according to new research.

The survey by Group Risk Development (GRiD), the industry body for the group risk protection sector, found a significant disparity in the number of these cases HR professionals have dealt with over the past year, and the number of cases they expect to see in the year ahead.

For example, figures show more than three out of four HR professionals at larger employers (76 per cent) have dealt with an employee being absent for six months or longer, but the perceived likelihood of doing this again in the next 12 months is just 60 per cent.

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