Millions of sick individuals nonetheless going to work attributable to cash worries – as 14% get workplace bugs

Millions of sick people are not taking time off work or are returning to work while still unwell due to money worries, research suggests.

More than 40% of workers said that increasing statutory sick pay (SSP) should be a top government priority, according to a poll. SSP is currently paid at £116.75 a week – and will rise by just £2 in April next year. This is one the lowest levels among the 38 countries in the OECD group of nations.

The research by the Centre for Progressive Change (CPC) found one in 10 sick workers returned to work while still ill due to concerns about cash. Some 12% of workers said they got sicker by working while unwell – then had to take more time off – and 14% reported catching a contagious bug like the flu in the office, the study found. Of those who needed a week or more off, over 40% said they did not feel financially equipped to manage their recovery on SSP.

In a letter to Keir Starmer earlier this month, two dozen union chiefs said an increase is needed so “workers can meet the cost of living in their time of need”. They said: “We’ve heard of workers delaying their cancer treatment because on £116 a week they don’t know how they’ll be able to put food on the table.”

But they welcomed Labour’s commitments in the Employment Bill – spearheaded by Deputy PM Angela Rayner – such as ensuring sick pay is paid from day one. Under existing rules the payment is only available after three days of sick leave.

William Roberts, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, said: “When people get ill, which they inevitably will, it’s vital that they are not forced to choose between making ends meet and the health of them and those around them. Contagious illnesses spread through contact. Avoiding unnecessary interactions helps to reduce the amount of people that become ill and are then unable to work.”

Amanda Walters, director at CPC, said: “Covid-19 showed us the need for better measures to prevent the spread of sickness at work and the public want to see the Government prioritise a proper fix to a broken system. It is simply unjust to force workers to choose between protecting their health by taking the time off to recover or returning to work early so they don’t end up in money trouble.”

A DWP spokesman said: “No one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship, which is why we have consulted on plans to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay and make sure everyone is entitled from the first day they are sick, regardless of earnings. These reforms as part of the Employment Rights Bill will support people managing a health condition to stay in work and raise living standards across the country.”

::: Stonehaven surveyed 2,151 people in England, Wales and Scotland between 13 and 14 Nov for CPC.