Survey shows employees are refusing to take sick days

A study of 10,000 adults across the UK has found that more than a third of employees insist on going to work when they are suffering from the effects of colds and flu.

The research, conducted by natural cold remedy Kaloba, revealed that 37% of workers consider it unacceptable to stay at home if they think or know they have a cold or the flu.

It also found that just 10% of those working in the health sector would take a day off when experiencing symptoms of infection, however teachers were found to be the most likely to go into work with a cold, with just 9% saying they would stay at home.

Experts have warned people suffering from bugs not to spread infection by going into work, and Dr Michael Dixon, GP and Chairman of the NHS Alliance, said:

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“When it comes to a cold or the flu, we’re at our most contagious at the first sneeze. However, at this stage the damage to the people around us has often already been done – the incubation period for the virus can be up to two days before symptoms occur.

“Employees and employers should be diligent over the next few weeks, the peak season for cold and flu, in preventing the spread of infection and should employ the NHS ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ policy.

“If you’re suffering from cold and flu symptoms, you should stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids to help increase your recovery time and prevent the spread of infection.”