90pc of employees ‘work while sick’: Canada Life

Report highlights problems of 'persistent presenteeism' in UK office culture.

Up to 28m employees may be coming into work when ill, according to a new survey from Canada Life.

Almost nine out of 10 (88 per cent) employees surveyed said they came into the office on days when they were feeling unwell.

The report found that almost half of all employees (47 per cent) did not take one sick day during 2017. Although this number has fallen slightly year on year, it shows the vast majority of the workforce still come into work when feeling ill.

This survey looked in more detail at the reasons behind this: over half (53 per cent) said they did not feel their illness warranted a day off, while a quarter (25 per cent) said their workload was too great for them to take the time off. A total of one in 10 employees (9 per cent) admitted they didn’t feel secure enough in their role to take time off sick.

For employees who took time off when unwell, the average number of days taken rose in 2017, from 2.8 to 4.4, according to this survey.

The majority of those who took time off for illness in 2017 were out of the office for between one and five days. Overall, the number who took this amount of time off remained fairly static, from 30 per cent in 2016 to 28 per cent in 2017.

However, around one in 12 (8 per cent) took between 11 and 20 sick days in total – the highest proportion since 2015.

Employees say their wellbeing would improve with flexible working, a positive attitude towards the issue and increased workplace support. Almost three in 10 of those surveyed (28 per cent) said flexible working options would help with both their physical and mental health and this was particularly popular amongst women, with one in three agreeing.

A similar number of workers (27 per cent) also said a more positive workplace attitude towards health and wellbeing would help, while a fifth (19 per cent) said better workplace support for example, Employee Assistance Programmes would be beneficial.

Canada Life marketing director Paul Avis says: “Presenteeism is a vicious cycle; the drive to remain in the office can cause illness to spread or end up leading to a longer recovery time.”

He adds the survey showed some workers were clearly concerned about colleagues reaction to taking sick days: one in five (19 per cent) believe they would be viewed as weak, 17 per cent believed they would be perceived as lazy and 15 per cent believed they would be viewed as inconsiderate.

However, a further 17 per cent of workers believing they would be viewed as sensible or genuine and 15 per cent as ‘honest’ for taking time off when needed

Avis adds: “To reduce presenteeism, these positive perceptions must be encouraged so workplaces can reduce any stigma attached to taking time off.

“Failing to take a sick day can have a significant impact on business performance as employees fail to recuperate properly.

“Early intervention services are available alongside group income protection products and include proactive absence management interventions to facilitate a return to work when employees are fit and able to do so. Employee assistance programmes are also provided at no extra cost and provide daily practical support as well as communicating an employer’s commitment to their staff’s health and wellbeing.”

 

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