People are taking fewer sickies because of job fears
GROWING fears over job security have fuelled a slump in sickies in the workplace, according to a new report.
Fears over job security have fuelled a slump in sick days
For the latest research shows that the number of days British workers are taking off for coughs, cold and flu has fallen once again, as concerns over job security, Brexit and letting colleagues down have combined to keep the workforce battling into work even when ill.
The annual Fisherman's Friend Cold and Flu Survey found that while last year's annual study recorded the first rise in eight years in terms of the number of days taken off by UK workers, the latest study found that the average worker took just 1.67 days off in the last year for minor ailments (2015 - 1.85). This is despite suffering with three bouts of illness that would usually have merited more time off work.
The report shows that concerns about reduced job security have returned after a turbulent year and the results are a far cry from the average five days that British workers were taking off sick when Fisherman's Friend conducted its first annual survey back in 2008.
In its latest survey of 2,000 Britons, more than half of workers (51 per cent) have not had a single day off due to minor ailments in the last year, with just one in seven (15.55 per cent) notching up more days off this year than last.
UK temperatures hit below freezing as cold weather sets in
Worrying about letting colleagues down has contributed to the slump
Three out of four workers admitted headed to work ill
Three in four (73.75 per cent) workers also admitted heading into work within the last year despite feeling ill enough to stay at home.
Of the three out of 10 workers who have taken less time off this year, one in four (25.62 per cent) said not wanting to let colleagues down was a contributing factor, while one in five (22.81 per cent) cited concerns over job security.
The study found that female workers were most concerned about letting their colleagues down (30.91 per cent compared with 19.27 per cent of men), while workers aged 18-24 were most likely to take less time off to support colleagues (40.38 per cent).
Northern Irish workers took the most time off
Northern Irish workers took the most days off this year at an average of 2.8 days.
Once again, those in the North East were found to be most hardy with the fewest average number of days off (1.35).
Those working outside in the environmental and agricultural industries took the most days off work this year (2.95). Meanwhile, the transportation and logistics industry had the highest proportion of workers who took no days off for minor ailments (seven out of 10).