Almost half of London workers say they are concerned about the financial implications of taking time off work for an illness, according to a cross-sector study commissioned by wellbeing and performance experts GoodShape.
The research highlights that close to half (47%) reported working through a physical illness in the last year, with 38% stating they worked whilst suffering from a mental health condition.
Financial worries negatively impacting Londoners’ ability to work
The survey findings also highlight the potential impact of the cost-of-living crisis on London employees’ everyday working lives.
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of London workers say that worrying about finances negatively impacts their ability to do their job, making this the region with the most workers who are concerned about this across Great Britain.
They are followed by employees in the North (59%), Midlands and Wales (both 57%), the South and Scotland (both 55%) and employees in the East (48%).
Clear regional differences in financial implications of taking sick leave
Wales has the largest proportion of employees who are concerned about the financial implications of taking time off work for a physical or mental illness (66%), followed by employees in Scotland (58%), Midlands (56%), North (55%), South (50%), London (49%) and East (43%).
Alun Baker, CEO of GoodShape said, “The cost-of-living crisis in the capital is magnifying a longer-term employee health emergency. Employees that ‘power through’ illnesses tend to develop longer-term conditions.
“The implications of coming into work whilst ill will also spread illnesses like flu and COVID across the organisation like wildfire.
“Times are tough for employees and employers alike, but giving your people reassurance that you have their health at heart – providing free access to professional medical support, for example – pays dividends for the health of your business too; not least in how you’re seen as an employer.”
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