Sick Feeling

Most employees feel guilty when calling in sick- a new survey has revealed.

The survey by CareerBuilder has found that nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of workers typically go to work when they’re ill and 55 percent said they “feel guilty” if they miss work due to illness.

With the cold and flu season in full swing, workplace pressures and “presenteeism” may be causing workers to go in despite the threat of virus spreading. More than half of the 3,700 workers surveyed nationwide from November 15 to December 2, 2010 said they picked up a bug from someone who was sick on public transport going to or from work.

“It’s important for employees to take care of their health and the health of others by staying at home if they aren’t feeling well,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “Even if workers feel pressure to be at the office, they should talk to their managers about staying home if they are sick, or ask about other options such as working remotely. Most employers are flexible and understand that employees are more productive if they are feeling their best.”

In order to encourage a healthy workplace, nearly one-in-five (19 percent) of employees said their companies provided flu shots at their office. Nearly two-in-five workers (38 percent) said they were proactive and got a flu shot this year (2010). When workers were asked what other ways they attempt to avoid germs, 78 percent said they wash their hands often; 32 percent carry and use hand sanitizer; 30 percent regularly clean their office space; 15 percent avoid shaking hands with people and three percent skip meetings where they know someone is ill.

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder.com among 3,910 U.S. workers (employed full-time; not self-employed; non-government); ages 18 and over between November 15 and December 2, 2010.