More than half (58%) of employees worked despite not feeling well enough to do so during the past year, according to research by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Its survey of 4,234 workers aged 16 to 75 years in Great Britain, including 3,763 employees and 471 self-employed individuals, also found that nearly half (49%) of respondents had taken a sickness absence in the past year, with 7% cumulatively taking more than four weeks off in the past 12 months and 8% taking a continuous absence of four weeks or more.
Among these employees, 60% received occupational or employer sick pay (OSP) only, 10% received statutory sick pay (SSP) only, 4% received a combination of OSP and SSP, while 17% received neither.
Half (52%) were required to provide a fit note after day seven of absence, while 18% did not need to provide any medical evidence. A quarter (27%) had received a fit note in the past year.
One-third (32%) reported a long-term health condition and 58% had discussed their condition with their employer. The vast majority (89%) felt their employer had been supportive.
Awareness of occupational health services was high, at 75%, and 52% had access through their current role. Just under a fifth (16%) had used the services. Most (79%) had access to flexible-working arrangements, primarily flexible hours (54%), hybrid working (40%), and part-time arrangements (39%).
A DWP spokesperson said: “The data collected was weighted to population figures supplied from the Office for National Statistics’ Annual population survey to ensure the data was representative of the working population of individuals in Great Britain aged 16 to 75 years. The research explored how workers manage their health and wellbeing at work.”
Fi Wynn, head of protection proposition at Royal London, added: “What stands out in this survey is that support at the right moment can make a real difference to how quickly and confidently people return to work. Added-value services, available as part of a protection policy, can be just as important as the financial support. They offer access to invaluable clinical, mental health and wellbeing support so individuals can navigate their recovery and return to work more rapidly.”
