Most men continue working despite believing that they need medical advice, according to Benenden Health.
A survey of 2,000 men aged 30 and 55 discovered that two-thirds (69%) would not take time off work to recover from a health issue.
More than a quarter (27%) reported having done this more than once.
The main reason for ignoring worries about their health was that they hoped the issue would disappear (40%), while around a quarter (23%) did not act due to being busy at work.
Just behind, a fifth of respondents did not want to make a fuss.
Creating a culture
Benenden pointed to separate research focusing on HR professionals, which suggests employers are seeing an impact from men delaying, downplaying or not prioritising their health concerns.
Indeed, more than four in five (84%) HR leaders have said that men are less likely than women to discuss their health concerns at work.
Almost nine in 10 (86%) had experienced situations where a male employee avoided seeking support until a health issue negatively affected their work.
Benenden reported that despite their findings, just 36% of employers have initiatives targeting men’s health.
Dr Amy Pressland, head of talent and performance at Benenden Health, said the workplace has an important role to play in helping men feel more comfortable prioritising their health and seeking support earlier.
“Creating a culture where conversations around men’s health are normalised, and where preventative support is visible and accessible, can help employers intervene earlier and better support their workforce before issues escalate,” she added.
