Over half of workers in the UK are worried about the effect of 'sickies' on their career, it has emerged.
In a new poll carried out by Saga Private Medical Insurance, 43 per cent of respondents admitted they feel paranoid when they return to work after a period of illness.
A quarter revealed their fear that time off sick will reduce their chances of promotion, or even be seen as an excuse to dismiss them or encourage early retirement.
In spite of such apprehension, 29 per cent of workers said they had been off with illness for more than five consecutive days in the last two years, while over a third admitted to pulling said sickies.
Older workers were found to be generally against this practice, deeming it dishonest and "a bad thing".
"Saga's experience over the years has shown that the priority for over-50s is to return to health - and often work - as quickly as possible," remarked a spokesperson for the insurer.
The results of the Health and Safety Executive's 2006-07 Labour Force Survey, unveiled last week, indicated that levels of work-related injury and sickness are at their highest in three years.
