Three-quarters of workers will still go into work even if they have a cold

02 February 2023 , 08:15

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Three-quarters of Brits still go into work when they are suffering with a cold (Image: SWNS)

The pandemic attitude towards any signs of coughs or sniffles seems to now be a thing of the past – as three-quarters of workers still feel obliged to go to work if they have a cold, a study has found.

More than one in five hardy Brits (21%) are determined to show how dedicated they are to their job, while 31% want to be seen as trustworthy, and 42% fear being seen as “unreliable” by phoning in sick.

The poll of 2,000 employed adults found that 34% feel they simply have too much to do to take a sick day, and 18% don't trust others to cover their work properly.

But six in ten (59%) feel that the best course of action when suffering with a cold is to simply “power through” and carry on regardless – with 61% convincing themselves they are not really that ill.

On the other hand, 38% will push themselves to go into the office, just to prove to their co-workers and their boss that they are genuinely unwell.

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And 57% would prefer their co-workers to stay away if they are suffering symptoms of a cold – with 43% blasting their colleagues as “selfish” if they come in while ill.

Nearly half of Brits think they have caught something off a colleague during the last 12 months (SWNS)

The study, commissioned by cough brand Bronchostop, revealed some of the biggest annoyances when people come into the office unwell – including not covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing (46%), not washing their hands afterwards (36%), and not using tissues (35%).

Farah Ali, superintendent pharmacist and spokesman for Bronchostop, said: “In the last couple of years, the perception of the common cough or cold has changed.

“With more flexible working in place, and a heightened focus on wellbeing, many feel as though colleagues who are feeling under the weather should be staying at home to rest and recuperate.”

The study also found half of adults (49%) working with colleagues wouldn't have any qualms telling a poorly co-worker they should have stayed at home.

And possibly with good reason, as 48% believe they've picked up a cold from a colleague in the past 12 months.

However, many of those polled don’t seem to apply the same level of understanding to themselves.

During the last 12 months, the average worker has been to work an average of four times with symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, headache, or sore throat.

The research, carried out through OnePoll, also found 24% of those who have had a cold have actively tried to keep their condition a secret – as 41% don't want to leave others in the lurch, and 29% feel their job is simply too competitive for them to take time off.

Farah Ali added: “This peak cough and cold season, it’s so important to look after yourself when you feel common cold symptoms, such as a cough, coming on, and to take precautions if you do need to go into work.

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“That might be taking some appropriate medicine, keeping your distance from co-workers, and remembering to wash your hands to keep germs away.”

TOP 10 GRIPES ABOUT CO-WORKERS WITH COLDS:

1. Coughing close to you
2. When they don't cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing
3. When they don't wash their hands after they've coughed or sneezed
4. When they don't use tissues
5. Coughing loudly all day
6. When they don't wash their hands regularly
7. Sniffing
8. When they don't take time to clean surfaces – like their desk, keyboard, etc.
9. When they moan
10. The act of them coming in at all

TOP FIVE TIPS FROM SUPERINTENDENT PHARMACIST, FARAH ALI, TO TREAT YOUR COUGH WITHOUT POWERING THROUGH:

1. Make sure you're drinking lots of water
2. Have some hot drinks, with added honey and lemon, to soothe your throat (however, this is not suitable for children under one years old)
3. Get plenty of rest and stay at home if you're feeling too unwell to do daily activities
4. If you're experiencing a continuous cough that’s proving hard to shift, pick up an effective cough remedy
5. If you're experiencing any kind of pain or high temperature, consider taking a painkiller – speak to a pharmacist if there is any concern

Andrew Young