Presenteeism survey shows nine out of 10 staff work while sick

Presenteeism remains a persistent problem in UK organisations, research from Canada Life Group Insurance has concluded, with 90% of UK employees saying they have come into work when feeling ill, virtually unchanged on the 89% it reported last year.

Presenteeism was most commonly being driven by a high volume of work, with more than one in four (28%) employees feeling their workload was too great to call in sick.

Financial concerns (21%) and feeling guilty for taking time off (17%) were also common factors.

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There was a distinct reluctance among employees to take time off for physical illnesses, with 54% saying they would still come into work if they had the flu and 42% even if they had a vomiting bug.

This was even more the case for mental ill health, with 80% saying they would not take time off for a stress-related illness.