One in three staff "work when sick"
18 January 2012 10:06
Many employees struggle into work when they are ill because they fear losing their job in the current state of the economy, according to new research on the state of "presenteeism" in British industry. Those most likely to go into work despite illness include staff in the retail sector.
A survey of 1,600 adults by healthcare charity Nuffield Health found that 30% were more inclined to go to work sick because of the current economic climate.
Half of those were suffering from a contagious illness such as cold or flu, and many said they went to work because they were worried about their job security.
Marcus Powell, managing director of Nuffield Health, said: "Employees going into work sick costs business dearly - up to £15 billion a year. Our research shows the economic downturn has made people more likely to go into work sick often because they fear losing their job.
"This is bad for business. The corporate world knows that staff wellbeing directly affects their profits. That is why more and more businesses are providing good clinical and fitness experts for their workers."
The age group most likely to go into work sick are those aged between 16 and 24, especially if they work in retail, according to the research.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is the time of year when numerous coughs and colds are doing the rounds. Yet despite being ill, many workers are struggling into work because they feel their employers won't be sufficiently sympathetic or because they don't want to let colleagues down.
"But rather than mucus trooping into work and sharing their germs with fellow commuters and colleagues, poorly workers would be much better off resting at home and getting well before making their return to the office.
"Sensible employers will have strong but supportive sickness absence policies so that staff know that if they are genuinely ill they should take time out to recover."
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