New research suggests that the advantages derived from offering sick leave may be worth more than any losses incurred due to a policy's abuse.
While not condoning any inappropriate misuse of sick leave or paid time off, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently indicated in a report that workers with paid sick leave available are less likely to experience non-fatal workplace injuries than those working for employers without such a policy. The difference was 28 percent in general, with those in high-risk fields such as construction and manufacturing benefitting the most, Human Resource Executive Online (HREO) notes.
Researchers indicated that the benefits might be due to the pressure to work despite illness when there is no policy. This could make illnesses and recovery periods last longer because the individual gets less rest, meaning they are working below their potential for a longer period. In addition to fatigue, sleep problems or other symptoms that could impede productivity, workers might take medications that induce drowsiness or other effects which are detrimental to working efficiently.
Additionally, lack of sick leave can increase the spread of illnesses among co-workers. Despite the advantages of offering sick leave to workers, about 43 percent of private sector workers indicated they do not have leave available. Part-time employees, temporary workers and people in the construction industry are among those least likely to have paid sick days.
How sick leave impacts different workers
Employees in more physically demanding jobs may be more affected by illness in some regards. Office workers are not very likely to be injured, in contrast, even when ill. At the same time, workers with physical jobs may be more likely to lack paid sick days, thus aggravating the difference in the risks they face.
In a job where there is the potential for injury, employers who force or allow severely impaired employees to work might create liability risks for themselves. This is particularly true if the worker injures a colleague, experts told HREO.
Unhealthy employees can be a drain on resources, spreading illness and reducing the productivity of those around them. Those who have sick leave may also develop a more positive attitude toward their employers, improving talent attraction and retention. The effects of a leave policy can range wide, impacting employee benefit costs, recruiting and more.
