Workers resent bearing burden of 'sickies'

Oct 31 2005 by Nic Paton Print This Article

Nine out of 10 workers in Scotland resent colleagues taking "sickies" because it increases their workload, a BBC survey has found.

The survey of 1,127 people also found 71 per cent thought alcohol was a contributing factor and had a negative effect on staff.

The finding backs a survey in October of small and medium sized enterprises by the Employment Law Advisory Services that found nine out of 10 employers in felt employees sneaked extra days off work either side of the weekend.

The BBC study, intriguingly, also reported that more than two thirds said a company pension scheme was the work benefit they valued the most.

The BBC carried out the UK-wide poll to promote its Big Challenge Health Works Awards, which recognise employers who promote health in the workplace.

The survey revealed that 20 per cent of workers in Scotland opted for a private healthcare plan as a job perk while 8 per cent said they would choose a car above all.

About 68 per cent of men admitted they were concerned about the effects of alcohol in the workplace, compared to 64 per cent of women.

On an age breakdown, 56 per cent of respondents between the ages of 25-34 said they were concerned about drink compared to 76 per cent of over-55s.

The survey confirmed that people who were obese suffered discrimination at work.

Asked if they thought an employer would hire a normal weight person or an obese person where two candidates in an interview were otherwise equally matched, almost no-one said they would employ the obese candidate.

About 83 per cent opted for the normal weight candidate and 16 per cent said weight would not matter.

A survey in Personnel Today magazine in October suggested that obese people are discriminated against when applying for jobs, get passed over for promotion and are more likely to be made redundant.