According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nearly one-quarter of American workers lack paid sick leave, and even those with paid sick days hesitate to use them when unwell.
Why are Workers Afraid of Filing for Sick Leave?
According to the report, 40% of workers felt hesitant to take sick time because they feared others might think they were pretending to be sick.
According to a Ceridian survey, about 74% of workers believe that being able to work remotely makes it simpler to take time off for a vacation.
Additionally, BambooHR's report, "Guilty Until Proven Sick: Why US Workers Don't Take Sick Leave (2023 Data)," found that 25% of workers have felt pressured or directly asked to work while they were sick.
The Common Practice of Faking Sick Leave
77% of managers have suspected an employee of faking a sick day, while 82% of HR managers have doubted an employee's claim of being physically ill when calling out.
This skepticism is justified for some, with 43% of workers admitting to taking at least one sick day when they were not physically sick in the past year.
Ironically, even more HR professionals (51%) admit to taking a sick day in the past year when they were not genuinely sick.
Stress, Anxiety, Guilt Driving The Norm
According to the Bamboo HR survey, almost 65% of workers feel stressed, anxious, guilty, or fearful when asking for sick leave from their employer.
Anita Grantham, head of human resources at Bamboo HR, told CBS MoneyWatch that many people are choosing to work even when they are sick, believing part of this reluctance to take time off is due to the current economic situation with more employers conducting layoffs and regaining leverage from the Great Resignation, where workers left their positions.
Grantham explained that salaried workers are feeling overwhelmed due to tough economic conditions and a lack of government support. This leads to a compounding effect where workers feel compelled to go to work because they depend on their jobs and benefits.
Repercussions of The Sick Guilt
Ultimately, when employees come to work sick, it is a lose-lose situation for both the worker and the company. Their performance suffers, they risk spreading illness to others, and their health deteriorates.
Anita Grantham highlighted that overall performance will decline if a company's workforce is not healthy and there is a lack of trust between leaders and team members.
Societal Change to Adhere to
Experts suggest a societal change in how we view taking sick days.
Rebecca Gorman, a compensation consultant for Salary.com, told CBS MoneyWatch the importance of taking a sick day. She explained that being a hard worker does not mean you cannot take time off when needed.
According to experts, this change starts with leaders setting a good example. Yolanda Owens explained that when managers prioritize work while answering emails and meetings in the hospital, it sends a message that taking time off is discouraged. Conversely, if managers acknowledge their need for rest and recovery, it sets a positive example for employees.
