Employees ‘afraid of redundancy’ are returning to work too soon

Posted 10/05/2010

A fear of redundancy and financial problems is leading to many UK employees returning to work too soon after long-term sick leave.

Research by Aviva UK Health shows that 11 per cent of respondents to a survey are so concerned about being replaced that they would consider returning to work before feeling fully fit.

Meanwhile, 68 per cent said they would go back to the office sooner than they should to recoup lost wages.

Aviva UK Health spokesperson Kevin Murdoch said that although employment law such as fit notes aims to help employees return to work, they should not risk their health.

“Returning to work prematurely … could be detrimental to the health of an employee and from a business perspective employers will reap few benefits,” he added.

In March this year, a similar study by Axa PPP discovered that 45 per cent of British workers have gone into the office while still ill.