31/03/2009 - Hay fever costing UK firms £7.1bn
Up to £7.1 billion a year could be lost to businesses in the UK through the debilitating effects of hay fever on workers, according to a study.
Around 39% of sufferers said their concentration was reduced throughout the working day, a survey by Kleenex found.
The Hay Fever Health Report also showed employees operated at an average of 63% of their normal productivity rate when struck by symptoms.
Professor Jean Emberlin, director of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, said: "With almost a quarter of our entire workforce being affected by hay fever, these figures give us real cause for concern - particularly as businesses struggle to achieve maximum efficiency in the recession."
But the research found 75% of employers were unaware the condition was reducing productivity among staff, while 30% admitting they had never considered the possible effects.
And the study showed many bosses were unsympathetic to their staff's suffering, with 32% saying they would question commitment if an employee took a day off because of hay fever.
Prof Emberlin said drinking water, avoiding going out at peak pollen times and keeping windows closed were good ways of controlling it.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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