Unwell staff keep working for fear of losing jobs

EMPLOYEES feel pressure to work while they are feeling unwell during lockdown because they fear losing their jobs, a study has shown.

The economic lockdown has led to a trend of presenteeism, with many people feeling pressure to carry on working even if they are unwell, the research from Canada Life suggests.

Almost half of 2,000 adults surveyed by the financial services firm said they felt more pressure to be present.

This meant around one in six working through their sickness because of redundancy fears, the research discovered.

While more than one in three said they had continued to work while unwell during lockdown, said the report. Younger employees were more likely to work while they were sick, the data indicated.

One in four workers admitted they felt the need to prove that they were working every day.

A similar number were checking in with their colleagues or managers more often, the report said.

Paul Avis, the Canada Life group insurance marketing director, explained: “The ‘always on’ work culture we’ve adopted over the last decade has come to a head.

“Lockdown is making it worse and employees feel like they can’t switch off.

“As the physical and mental wellbeing of UK employees is stretched to the limit, productivity could be significantly hit.

“But with so many people frightened they might lose their jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s no surprise they’re working through sickness and worried about the implications of taking time off.

“Employers have an active role to play in encouraging their staff to take the time they need to recover from illness, mental or physical.”

Mr Avis added: “It’s encouraging that 41 per cent [of employers] have introduced measures to support struggling workers.”