A TOP Dorset business leader says that local employers are being walked over by malingering' employees.

Staff sickness and absence from work are costing UK businesses £13 billion a year, with employees taking an average eight days' sick leave per annum.

This, according to the Department of Work and Pensions equates to a total of 175 million working days being lost every year.

Chief executive of Dorset Business, the chamber of commerce, Peter Scott said: "It is a scandal that British employers get walked over by malingerers. The very terminology, sick leave' suggests this is some kind of right, which it certainly is not. History shows us that 90 years ago the Ottoman Empire was commonly known as 'the sick man of Europe', but British industry could still claim to be great. Now with a debased work ethic, widespread absenteeism, and the shambolic T5 and Northern Rock chapters, that epithet could well be levelled at Britain."

It is a situation which is creating a huge dent on industry productivity and one which human resources managers across the country say is increasingly one of their main causes for concern.

Federation of Small Business (FSB) regional organiser for Dorset, Colin Jamieson said: "Small businesses have on average a far lower sickness rate than large commercial or state run businesses. A recent FSB survey of members shows that only 1.8 days in a year is lost to sickness compared with a national figure of eight days.

"This shows that small firms have a higher level of job satisfaction and loyalty than those working in large commercial organisations and the public sector. The public sector has by far the worst record, which is a direct cost to the community and taxpayer.

"More information on this survey is available in the Health Matters report on the FWSB website, www.fsb.org.uk."