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Has The Recession Made Workers More Conscientious?
05/01/2010
By Lea Pachta
Water Wellpoint research finds 96% were not tempted to take a 'sickie' on their first day back after the Christmas break
Latest research from wellbeing business, Water Wellpoint, reveals that nearly 100% of workers have not been tempted to take a 'sickie' on their first day back after the Christmas break. And with more than half also saying that they took no more than 2 days sick leave during 2009, the new data could suggest that the impact of the recession has made people more conscientious. But at what price?
"In the past there has been much made of the New Year being the worse time for workers to take 'sickies'", explained Rory Murphy, Head of External Affairs, Water Wellpoiint.
"Indeed, data from 2008 from the Institute of Payroll Professions showed that 13 out of 20 of the most popular days for sickness absence occurred in January. But our new research significantly contradicts this with almost 100% of respondents saying that would not call in sick on the first day back after the Christmas break and 87% saying they simply wouldn't ever call in sick if they weren't unwell.
"Whilst commitment to attendance will be immensely encouraging for employers, they do need to take note of the fact that a third of respondents also said they feel their work impacts negatively on their health. Tiredness was cited as the main symptom for 50% of workers and nearly 1 in 4 (24%) also said they put problems sleeping down to stress from work.
"Employers therefore need to be careful that 'presenteeism' doesn't become a negative feature of the workplace - that is people turning up for work even if they are unwell. Workers need to feel that they can take time off if they are genuinely... continued on page two >
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