69% of hospitality staff worry about financial implications of sick leave

Some 69% of UK employees in the hospitality and leisure sector are worried about the financial implications of taking time off work for a physical or mental illness, according to a cross-sector survey commissioned by wellbeing and performance experts GoodShape in conjunction with YouGov.

The survey also revealed that four in 10 in hospitality and leisure (40%) continued to work in the last year whilst experiencing a physical health condition or whilst physically ill.

Furthermore, 36% of hospitality and leisure workers continued working through mental illness.

The survey showed that over half of women (53%) surveyed kept on working whilst experiencing a physical health condition compared to 39% of male employees in the last year.

Alun Baker, CEO of GoodShape, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is magnifying a longer-term employee health emergency. Employees who ‘power through’ illnesses tend to develop longer-term conditions. The implications of coming into work whilst ill include spreading 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. Let’s not forget, good health and workforce productivity are inextricably linked so looking after your people makes sense for everyone.”