ABI research: UK employees unsure about employers’ sickness absence benefits

The majority of employees (77%) that have been off sick for more than three months have received, or are currently receiving, NHS healthcare, according to research by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

The ABI Quarterly Consumer Survey found that employers have paid, or are currently paying for 9% of respondents that have taken more than three months off work as a result of sickness or injury.

The majority of individuals (82%) have never been absent from work for more than three months as a result of sickness or injury.

When asked how long they felt their employer would continue to pay them if they were away from work for a prolonged period due to sickness, just under half of respondents (43%) thought that they would receive pay for more than three months, while 26% were not sure.

Respondent were asked whether they would feel comfortable telling their employer if they felt stressed or over-worked: 44% said that they would feel comfortable, and 42% saying that they would not. The remainder were not sure.

The research also found that buying a pension causes the most difficulty for UK adults compared to other financial products.

The research found that 37% of respondents said pensions were the product that causes greatest difficulty, while 23% cited investment products, such as individual savings accounts (Isas).

The research also found that only 3% of UK adults have turned to their employer for financial advice in the past year, while 24% favour friends and family.

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The most trusted source of financial advice is an independent financial adviser (IFA), as stated by 30% of respondents, while 18% said friends and family, and only 1% chose their employer.

Read more articles on occupational healthcare benefits