Pub staff 'under pressure' to work when sick

Pub employees are being pressured to come to work when they are ill, according to a new survey.

The impact of the credit crunch and concerns over job security means some would even go to work with a stomach upset, endangering customer health.

The poll of workers from across the catering sector was carried out by health insurance provider HSA.

One in six, 17 per cent, said they would rather go to work with diarrhoea than take a day off sick. Even more, 26 per cent, said they would go to work with flu - potentially devastating to a business if the infection spreads.

A third, 32 per cent, said they are encouraged or expected to pick up light duties or basic tasks while off sick, and 28 per cent said their employer pressurises them into returning to work as soon as possible.

The poll also found that 41 per cent of workers are more concerned about job security than a year ago.

Professor Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology at Lancaster University Management School said: "In a downturn, because employees want to show commitment, they will come in earlier, stay later and come in even when they are sick.

"This is counterproductive because a sick employee isn't a productive employee and invariably he or she will make wrong decisions which someone else will have to rectify later on.

"Organisations need to focus on giving employees the support they need to get better as this will benefit the business in the long run."