In a recent survey, 1,000 workers were asked about whether they would consider returning to work from sick leave early, and if so, why. The survey found that a large proportion would consider doing so, despite the potential for jeopardising their own health and the health and safety of their colleagues.
Overall it was found that 80% of employees would consider going back to work earlier than advised: around two thirds said that family finances would be their primary reason for doing so, with 29% saying concerns over being able to keep up mortgage repayments would drive them back to work. Overall 50% of respondents said that if their family wasn’t coping financially, they’d return to work early.
As well as financial troubles, a tenth of employees said that worries about losing their job would force them back to work early.
Overall it would seem that the survey has uncovered a lack of awareness of employee rights relating to sick pay, incapacity benefits and dismissal whilst on sick leave. Furthermore, it is possible that the frequency with which finances were cited as a worry suggests that some employees who have been injured at work are not aware of their rights regarding personal injury compensation.
Returning too early to work can aggravate health problems and may even jeopardise the health and safety of other employees. It is not a risk worth taking and employees should consult an employment law solicitor if they believe they have been treated unfairly in relation to long term sick leave.