Words by Isabel O’Brien
A new report by the Office of Health Economics (OHE), commissioned by Pfizer, reveals that respiratory infections cost UK businesses £44bn a year, or £852 per employee. The study highlights that presenteeism, where employees work while ill and produce lower quality work, accounts for more than half of these losses, surpassing absenteeism in terms of cost.
The research, which surveyed 2,910 UK adults in October 2023, shows that respiratory infections, which are often concentrated in the winter months, are a major drain on both employees and the economy. While policymakers focus on long-term illnesses, the report highlights that short-term illnesses, such as respiratory infections, have been largely overlooked.
“Much has rightfully been said about the effects of long-term ill-health on the workforce and the economy. However, the impact of short-term illnesses on economic productivity has received less attention,” said Amanda Cole, Associate Director, OHE. With women disproportionately affected, the report found that employees on presenteeism days experienced a 32% drop in productivity, with key areas such as decision-making, communication and creativity most affected.
In a press release, Amanda Cole, Associate Director, OHE, explained: “Much has rightfully been said about the effects of long-term ill-health on the workforce and the economy. However, the impact of short-term illnesses on economic productivity has received less attention.” The research reveals that respiratory infections incur significant costs for employers, with workers’ productivity dropping more when they work while ill than when absent. Women are disproportionately affected by these losses.
The report also emphasises the need for preventative measures, such as workplace vaccination schemes, to address both employee health and health inequities. “The policy recommendations in the report offer a solution to improve overall employee health and address health inequity within the workforce,” said Cole.
Sectors like public administration and defence are particularly hard-hit by both absenteeism and presenteeism, further stressing the need for action to mitigate this issue.
