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One in five Brits are stressed, depressed or just hungover
Cambridge revealed as “sickie” capital of UK
Colds and flu remain the prime reason for time off work

London, 14 December 2009 As Britain staggers its way through Christmas party season, 10% of UK workers admit to taking a ‘sickie’ or being hungover on their last ‘sick’ day off work, according to research from Aon Consulting, the leading employee risk and benefits management firm. A total of just over 20% cited stress, depression, being hungover or taking a ‘sickie’ as the real reason for their last day off.

Cambridge is the UK’s ‘sickest’ city with over 20% of workers admitting to having feigned illness or been too hungover to face work, according to the survey of 4,046 respondents from across the UK. In contrast, the people of Portsmouth are the least likely (4%) to have ticked the hangover or ‘sickie’ box. Just over one in ten Londoners were not actually sick or were suffering from the night before on their last day off work.

The survey also revealed that colds and flu are the most common reason for absence (38%), while 11% of workers selected stress and/or depression and 7% cited fatigue.
 

 

What was the real reason for you last day off from work?

Reason

%

Fatigue

6.94

Back pain or other musculo-skeletal problems

9.89

‘Sickie’/Hangover

10.97

Stress or depression

11.22

Genuine illness, bereavement, etc

23.26

Colds and flu

37.71

Taking a ‘sickie’ or being hungover the real reason for last day off work?

Aberdeen

13.85

Leicester

8.55

Aberystwyth

14.29

Liverpool

8

Belfast

15.58

London

11.83

Birmingham

13.99

Manchester

9.3

Brighton and Hove

13.95

Newcastle

11.11

Bristol

9.6

Norwich

11.69

Cambridge

20.43

Oxford

12.79

Cardiff

14.59

Plymouth

9.73

Chelmsford

6.56

Portsmouth

4.16

Coventry

13.12

Sheffield

11.7

Edinburgh

7.61

Southampton

12.59

Glasgow

6.97

Wolverhampton

8.62

Gloucester

6.66

Worcester

14.29

Leeds

5.52

York

6.45

Commenting on the research, Paul White, Head of Risk Benefits at Aon Consulting, said:
“At this time of year, it is not surprising to see that many workers will be celebrating the end of a rollercoaster year, as they should. However, there is no need for employers to suffer as a result. Implementing a flexible benefits programme, where employees can buy and sell holiday, could help employees better manage their time off from work, and mean that ‘sickies’ are less common.’

“Hangovers aside, tackling sickness absence is becomingly increasingly important to organisations who seek to manage their costs. It has been a difficult year and employers must be aware that they have a responsibility to care for their workers. Companies are quite rightly addressing cases of stress and depression and further Aon research* shows that flu jabs and stress management are now the most popular wellness initiatives offered by companies.

“Organisations should clearly communicate the range of wellbeing benefits they provide for their staff, and employees should start taking advantage of the many benefits offered by their employers.”

Ends

Notes to editors

About the research

The Aon Consulting Omnibus Survey 2009

Aon polled 4046 working adults from a range of industries on a range of topics around employee benefits and pensions.

*The Aon Consulting Employee Benefits and Trends Report 2009
The research offers insight into what employers are doing now and what actions they plan to take in the future on DC pensions, health and risk benefits and flexible benefits. The 2009 report polled 650 employers on various issues relating to employee benefits and pensions.

For more information please contact:
Josephine Corbett / Leo Wood
0207 269 7250 / 7137
josephine.corbett@fd.com / leo.wood@fd.com

David Skapinker
020 7505 7478
David.skapinker@aon.co.uk
http://aon.mediaroom.com

About Aon Consulting
Aon Consulting Worldwide is among the top global human capital consulting firms, with 2008 revenues of $1.358 billion and more than 6,300 professionals in 117 offices worldwide. Aon Consulting works with organisations to improve business performance and shape the workplace of the future through employee benefits, talent management and rewards strategies and solutions. Aon Consulting was named the best employee benefit consulting firm by the readers of Business Insurance magazine in 2006, 2007 and 2008.  For more information on Aon, please visit www.aon.mediaroom.com.

Safe Harbour Statement: http://aon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=67

Aon Consulting Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

 

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