More than 90 per cent of UK employees have attended work while ill, says research

In news that should concern many of those in companies benefitting from the HR services of Employee Management Ltd (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk), new research by insurance firm Canada Life has found an increase in presenteeism among UK workers, with 93 per cent of them stating that they have come into work even while sick.

Among the reasons given for the failure to take time off, not thinking that the illness was sufficiently serious ranked highest, being cited by 76 per cent of the 1,001 respondents across the country who were polled in March this year. Employers seeking HR advice may also be concerned by the 31 per cent of employees who mentioned having too heavy a workload as a reason, while 20 per cent fretted about the financial implications of a sickness absence.

19 per cent of respondents mentioned being made to feel guilty about taking sick leave by colleagues, while 13 per cent said that they'd felt threatened by the risk of redundancy. More than a third - 36 per cent - of workers were so fearful of taking sick leave and potentially incurring a poor sickness record that they preferred to use up their holiday allowance. 33 per cent of workers said that they would attend work with flu, while even a serious stomach bug would not prevent 14 per cent of respondents from showing up at work. Stress-related illnesses would not be sufficient for a further 80 per cent to take time off.

Company directors receiving HR support are likely to be interested in the research's findings on the knock-on effects of such a high level of presenteeism, such as 81 per cent of employees catching illnesses from co-workers, while 82 per cent also said that their performances suffered when they were ill. Nor were some 37 per cent of employees aware of their organisation offering any kind of workplace support in relation to sickness absence.

Canada Life Group marketing director Paul Avis commented:  "It is worrying the UK’s workers are so reluctant to take time off even when they are genuinely unwell." He voiced concerns that employees were being prevented from taking the sick leave that they required by worries over a risk of redundancy, a heavy workload and colleague criticism, even though this situation was undoubtedly exacerbating certain conditions, especially those related to stress.

He called on organisations to voice their support for their sick employees so that they don't fear being penalised for taking time off, stating: "Employees should not be discouraged from taking time off when they are genuinely unwell, as presenteeism creates not only an unpleasant working environment but also one that is counter-productive."

Company directors are urged to contact Employee Management Ltd (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk) now for informed advice on how appropriate and effective sick leave policies can be incorporated into their own company's employment documentation, for the benefit of both their employees and their wider business.

Editor’s Note: Employee Management Ltd (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.