Survey: Most Americans Avoid Calling In Sick to Work
If you've ever been worried about calling in sick to work, a new study says that you are not alone.
A survey by OnePoll asked 2,000 employed Americans about the stress they felt when asking their bosses for time off work. It found that 58% of workers avoid calling in sick because they are worried about being criticized by their employer.
The survey also found that 55% of US workers have to give their managers a reason for calling into work sick. Of that group, two in three said they feel that their bosses never believe their reasons for needing time off.
Of the roughly 1,700 survey participants who can work from home, 68% said that they would work even when sick instead of taking the day off. These workers said they feel they should only take time off if they have COVID-19.
Sixty-eight percent of people also said that they would work through illness because they "can't afford" to take a sick day. Some US states have laws that require workers to have paid sick leave from work, but there is no national law requiring it.
Sixty-three percent of survey participants also said they feel guilty taking time off because it would mean leaving their co-workers with a lot more to do.
Access to sick leave has become very important since the beginning of the pandemic. Studies have shown that access to sick leave reduces the spread of COVID-19, as well as other diseases like the flu.
