Employee incentives could help tackle 'sickies'

Date: 22/07/2010

UK workers are among the worst in Europe for pulling 'sickies', according to new research by Aon Consulting, however, using employee incentives could help tackle the issue.

Figures from the firm show that 21 per cent of workers last called in sick because they were feigning illness rather than feeling genuinely unwell.

One solution could be to provide staff with employee incentives which make them less likely to take extra days off.

Aon's study revealed that a provision of flexible working is the incentive which would most encourage people take less time of work, followed by a substantial cash incentive, being given social days to take for non-medical personal reasons, and being given more interesting work.

"The economic turmoil facing the UK has probably reduced the number of sick days taken, as 14 per cent of people say the threat of redundancy would actually force them to cut down the number of days off for non-medical reasons," said Peter Abelskamp, director of health and benefits EMEA at Aon Consulting.

"Perhaps not surprisingly, over a quarter of respondents say a cash incentive on top of their salary would also encourage them to come in to work."

The Institute for Employment Studies recently stated that flexible working can help tackle non-genuine sick days.

Posted by Michelle Fry ADNFCR-2060-ID-19904094-ADNFCR

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Employee incentives could help tackle 'sickies'

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