Survey: Many Employees Frequently Go to Work When Ill
More than four out of 10 (45 percent) professionals recently surveyed admitted they very frequently go to work when they feel sick. However, only 17 percent of managers polled believe the practice is this common.
The two surveys were developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. They were conducted by an independent research firm and include responses from 522 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments, and 150 senior executives at the nation's 1,000 largest companies.
OfficeTeam notes that some managers may not realize the adverse effects of this practice on productivity, and offers them the following tips for ensuring staff do not come to work when ill:
• Communicate expectations. Let staff know that you prefer they stay home when they're sick to ensure a quicker recovery.
• Set an example. Employees are more likely to stay home when they're sick if you do the same.
• Give options. Allowing employees to work from home if they think they're coming down with a cold or the flu can help them stay productive without spreading a potential illness to others.
• Offer help. Bring in temporary professionals to keep projects on track when employees are out sick for more than a day or two.