A recent survey reveals alarming trends about workplace health in the UK.
- 31% of Britons have attended work while knowingly ill.
- Pressure to manage workloads is the primary reason for this behaviour.
- Office environments are seen as unhealthy by 21% of employees.
- Poor hygiene practices, including eating at desks, are contributing factors.
A startling trend has emerged from a recent survey conducted by an office supply chain, where 31% of British employees admitted to attending work while suffering from an infectious illness. The reasons behind this include overwhelming workloads, cited by 61% of respondents, and the inability to work remotely, affecting 28% of workers. These factors illustrate a concerning propensity for employees to prioritise work obligations over health, risking the wellbeing of themselves and their coworkers.
Additionally, the survey highlighted that 21% of employees consider their office environments unhealthy. This sentiment is exacerbated by the common practice of eating at desks, with a staggering 72% of office workers admitting to this habit. Desks and keyboards, often harbouring more bacteria than a toilet seat, pose a significant health risk, exposing employees to harmful microbes such as E.coli, Pseudomonas, and MRSA. The data further reveals a gender disparity, with 74% of women compared to 68% of men eating at their desks.
Hygiene practices are also lacking, as indicated by the finding that one in seven workers neglects to use soap after using the toilet, and one in fifty fails to wash their hands entirely. Men are less likely to maintain proper hygiene compared to women, increasing health risks in shared office spaces. Monica Mauri, Vice President, Head of HR from the office supply chain, emphasised, “What we’re seeing is a worrying number of workers who feel the need to come into the office when sick. Employers need to make employees aware of the importance of staying home when ill, especially when it’s infectious.”
Expert insights further suggest the importance of rigorous hygiene and absence management policies. Adrian Lewis, a sickness absence expert, stressed the necessity of return-to-work interviews, which not only gauge an employee’s readiness to return but also serve as a monitoring and support mechanism. “One member off sick is a challenge, but a whole department is an HR Manager’s worst nightmare,” he commented, outlining the broader implications of sickness in the workplace.
Addressing these health concerns requires a concerted effort from both employees and employers to foster a healthier work environment.
