Survey shows high numbers working when unwell

Professionals’ trade union Prospect is pointing to a survey by the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) as backing its warnings about the problem of "presenteeism" – working when ill.

The union says the problem is in part due to the rise of the “always-on” culture, and blurred lines between work and home.

Previous polling it commissioned looked at the problems of not being able to switch off, particularly for remote workers. It found that 5% of remote workers said their work-related mental health has got worse during the pandemic, with 42% saying this is at least partly a result of inability to switch off from work. Additionally, 30% of remote workers reported working more unpaid hours than before the pandemic.

Prospect research director Andrew Pakes said: “CIPD’s research backs up Prospect’s findings that an ‘always-on’ culture is creating huge problems for working people. This is true across the board but particularly in home working.

“Including a right to disconnect in the Employment Bill would big a big step in redrawing the blurred boundary between home and work and would show that the government is serious about tackling the dark side of remote working.”

https://prospect.org.uk/news/cipd-survey-backs-up-prospect-call-for-a-right-to-disconnect

https://www.cipd.co.uk/about/media/press/270421-health-wellbeing-working-unwell