The majority (52%) of employees have had to take time off work or – if self-employed – time out of their own business, due to falling ill or having an accident, according research from MetLife UK.
But the insurance and employee benefits provider’s survey of more than 2,000 employees also found just 38% received paid time off while recovering – meaning 60% go without.
And one in six (17%) had to take the time unpaid, while 12% had to use their own annual leave to avoid any financial burden. One in 10 (9%) had to alter their working hours to accommodate absences.
Turning to sickness, 60% had taken up to one week off work, and 17% had taken more than a week.
For those who have suffered an injury, just over a third (36%) had taken up to one week off, but one in 10 (11%) needed to take longer.
Rich Horner, head of individual protection at MetLife UK, (pictured) said: “When everything goes like clockwork, life is fine. But when disaster strikes, life can feel instantly more challenging.
“And quite often, these disasters come up unexpectedly and can knock you off balance.
“The last thing anyone wants, or to think about, is having an accident or feeling unwell.
“When trying to manage life – including caring for our loved ones, juggling work, how your employer/team will manage if you’re not there and all the financial commitments alongside – it can make an already tough situation much more stressful.
“But the fact is that despite our best efforts, accidents and illnesses do happen.
“And having to worry about the financial impact of not being paid only adds to the stress and worry, and in some cases can prolong recovery further.
“The wellbeing of those up and down the country is important to us, which is why we are so passionate about providing simple and affordable protection cover; so workers across the UK can feel confident should life ever throw them off track.”