A new survey has revealed that a huge majority of construction workers have carried on working while ill or injured, with many saying they’ve done so because of financial pressures.
Of those surveyed, 90 per cent said they’d gone to work when they were too unwell to complete their work to a high enough standard.
Almost half of the workers polled said that they avoided taking days off because their self-employed status meant that they weren’t entitled to sick pay.
Another 21 per cent said that they weren’t sure of the rules relating to sick pay.
While most employees are entitled to some sick pay and holiday pay under the law, self-employed workers and contractors don’t enjoy the same rights.
Other survey respondents, as reported by popular viral site onthetools.tv, said that they were concerned that they’d lose their jobs if they took time off.
The survey results come after construction firm Balfour Beatty were fined as a bricklayer was left hospitalised following an injury on site.
Balfour Beatty face a fine of over £200k after a floor collapsed, with the Health and Safety Executive adding: “It is vital that companies follow design instructions and ensure that structures are stable.”
Do you take days off work if you’re not feeling up to it? Tell us in the comments.
Personal accident insurance can cover things like lost income and medical bills if a serious injury stops you working. You can buy it as part of your Simply Business tradesman insurance policy, alongside the likes of public liability insurance and tool cover.
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