We’ve all been there: you’re feeling under the weather, so decide to call in sick. Or, you’re so burnt out you need a day doing nothing much except getting familiar with the backs of your eyes.
So why do you feel guilty calling in sick?
The research, conducted by CareerBuilder.com. has found that almost three-quarters (72%) of workers typically go to work when they’re ill, and 55% said they ‘feel guilty’ if they miss work due to illness.
With the cold and flu season still in full swing, workplace pressures and ‘presenteeism’ may be impelling workers to head into work despite the obvious threats of contagion and prolonging their own suffering. More than half of the 3,700 workers surveyed across the US from November 15 to December 2, 2010, said they picked up a bug from someone who was sick on public transport going to or from work.
"It is important for employees to take care of their health and the health of others by staying at home if they aren’t feeling well," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at US online job site, CareerBuilder.
"Even if workers feel pressure to be at the office, they should talk to their managers about staying home if they are sick, or ask about other options such as working remotely. Most employers are flexible and understand that employees are more productive if they are feeling their best," she added.
To help encourage a healthy workplace, nearly one-fifth (19%) of employees said their companies provided flu shots at their office. Nearly two-fifths (38%) said they were proactive and sought out a flu shot last year (2010). When workers were asked what other ways they attempt to avoid germs, 78% said they wash their hands often; 32% carry and use a hand sanitiser; 30% regularly clean their office space; 15% avoid shaking hands with people and 3% skip meetings where they know someone is ill.
The survey was conducted online within the US by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder.com. Some 3910 US workers (non-government, full-time rather than self-employed), aged 18 and over, were surveyed between 15 November and 2 December, 2010.
Workplace pressures and ‘presenteeism’ are subjects that will no doubt arise at the HR US Summit 2011, which takes place at The Boulders Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona from 29-31 March 2011. The closed-door summit, hosted by GDS International, features such leading speakers as: Rhonda MacAndrew, Greyhound Lines; Jim Rottman, American Express; Mike Simon, Vitamin Shoppe; David Windley, Yahoo!; Cynthia Augustine, Scholastic; Victoria Berger-Gross, Tiffany & Co and Don McLaughlin, Cisco.
Among the subjects summit attendees will be discussing are the risks and rewards of the mobile workforce, best practice in succession planning, how integrated learning can improve organisational development and innovation, and the issues and solutions around employee mobility and relocation.
HR US Summit 2011 is a C-level event reserved for 100 participants that includes expert workshops, facilitated roundtables, peer-to-peer networks and co-ordinated meetings.
For more information, visit www.hrsummitus.com
Joe Baker is media manager at GDS International
