Member Article

Workers ?scared to call in sick?

Half of workers are scared to call in sick for fear of losing their job, according to research by healthcare firm Simplyhealth.

The survey found that 50% of employees are so worried about losing their jobs in the current economic climate they are working through illness and that 43% of employees have not taken a sick day in the past 12 months - a 20% increase on 2008 figures.

The research also found that more than a fifth of workers fear they won’t be believed if they call in sick unless their employer has witnessed their illness.

“Today’s competitive and pressured working environment means that some people find it difficult to speak up about an illness or take time off,” said Raman Sankaran of Simplyhealth.

“However, employees should not be made to feel that they have to put their health at risk to save their job. A healthy employee is a more productive employee, and it’s important that companies do everything they can to help support employees to good health.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .