Band 6+: The chart below shows the results of three surveys on absenteeism in a particular European country in the years 2000, 2005 and 2010. The results show the reasons people gave for not going to work. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The bar chart illustrates the proportion of people being absent from work for diferent reasons in the years 2000, 2005 and 2010.

In general, illness was markedly more common than other reasons, while stress was the least popular in 2000 and 2005. In addition, illness saw a downward trend, which was opposite to personal needs. While family responsibilities remained relatively stable, stress and unexpected problems experienced a fluctuation.

Commencing with the proportion of people staying at home from work due to illness, there were just under 45% of the attendants taking sick leave in 2000. This figure, after that, declined by nearly 10% in 2010. In contrast, personal needs started at approximately 15% before rising to over 20% at the end of the period.

Turning to the percentage of stress, this factor accounted for just over 5% in 2000. This number, then, dropped slightly in the next 5 years before soaring in 2010, making up over 10% of the reasons for taking a leave of absence. Sudden problems, however, inclined from around 10% to nearly 15% prior to an insignificant fall in 2010. Family reasons remained relatively stable throughout the report with the figures being just marginally over 25% in all years.