By Pam McClounie

Published at 11:24, Thursday, 18 December 2008

THE cold and flu bug is sweeping across Cumbrian offices but the majority of workers would rather ill colleagues stayed at home so they can be fit and healthy for the festive season.

Bless you: The flu bug is sweeping across Cumbria

New research from the makers of Benylin has shown that two thirds, or 66 per cent, of employees would be annoyed if colleagues turned up to the office with an infectious illness.

The research suggests that people would be wise to listen to their colleagues and spend a day at home recovering.

The vast majority of employees – 84 per cent – admit to being less productive when they go in to the office coughing and full of cold, and only seven per cent claim to be 100 per cent effective when sick.

Separate research suggests that a boss could be equally unimpressed if employees struggle in. The study of 1,000 UK employers conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has found that suffering from an infectious illness is now considered to be the most acceptable reason for taking a day off with four out of five – 84 per cent – viewing it as a good reason for an employee to stay at home.

Over half of employers say they have experienced a ‘domino effect’ with two or more employees coming down with the same illness at one time, which could have a significant impact on overall staff productivity.

However, it seems that as the job market becomes less secure, employees are more reluctant than ever to take a sick day, with over half – 57 per cent – admitting that they would have to be severely ill to do so.

But rather than fearing that early morning call to an unsympathetic boss – over half of employees – 51 per cent – actually claim that their employer is sympathetic when they call in sic. This is due to concerns about what their colleagues may think.

Almost half of bosses – 45 per cent – think their employees do not take a day off because they think it will reflect poorly on them in the office.

Guilt also has a part to play, with the majority of employees – 82 per cent – admitting to sometimes always feeling guilty when they phone in sick. This is despite the fact that 87 per cent of workers believe that it’s acceptable to take a sick day.

Chris Hannant, BCC policy director, said: “It’s common to assume that if we take a day of to recover from an illness then our boss and colleagues may feel resentful as they have to pick up our unfinished work.

“However, as we reach the peak of the cold and flu season in the UK, it seems that the opposite is true. By taking one day off to recover fully, you may actually be a lot more productive in the long-run.”

PMcClounie@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk