A significant portion of employees find themselves needing to take time off work due to unexpected illnesses or accidents.
- Over 50% of employees are reported to have taken leave due to health issues, indicating a widespread impact.
- A mere 38% of these individuals receive paid leave, leaving a substantial number without financial support during recovery.
- A notable 17% of employees are compelled to take unpaid leave, exacerbating financial stress.
- Alterations to work hours and the use of annual leave are common among affected employees.
In a substantial revelation, over half of the employees have reported taking leave from work due to unforeseen health issues. This statistic highlights the pervasive nature of health-related absenteeism within the workforce.
Despite the significant occurrence of health-induced absences, only 38% of affected employees benefit from paid leave. This leaves a large portion of the workforce to navigate the financial constraints of unpaid recovery periods.
The data further reveals that 17% of employees are required to take unpaid leave when faced with illness or injury, adding to the stress and potential prolongation of recovery periods due to financial burdens.
To manage the financial implications of their absences, 12% of employees resort to using their annual leave, while nearly 9% adjust their working hours. These alterations underscore the flexibility required from employees amidst health challenges.
Rich Horner, Head of Individual Protection at MetLife UK, emphasises the unexpected nature of such ‘disasters’ and the compounded stress of financial concerns, stating, ‘When everything goes like clockwork, life is fine. But when disaster strikes, life can feel instantly more challenging.’ His statement reflects the broader sentiment of anxiety that accompanies unplanned health disruptions.
This data underscores the critical importance of adequate health protection to mitigate the financial impact of illness and accidents on employees.
