21/01/2010 - 'Strapped workers take sick days'
Money worries are expected to lead to a huge rise in people taking sick days from work, it has been suggested.
The Institute of Payroll Professionals (IPP) predicts people too poor to travel to work will opt to take days off ill during the third week of January.
The week has been branded the most financially challenging time of the year. IPP research revealed that one in three workers said they would have money problems in January, following the expense of Christmas and the early payment of wages in December.
Companies pay wages before Christmas to ensure employees can get through the festive period. However, this early payment leaves a long wait until the monthly wage rolls in at the end of January.
Lindsay Melvin, Chief Executive of the IPP, said: "We foresee the third week of January as one of the busiest times for people to pull 'sickies'. For the many workers who find it difficult to budget, and overspent during the Christmas season, this week is going to be problematic. In these cases, employees may find that they cannot afford to transport themselves to work. Employers should be aware of this possibility and put in place contingency plans to deal with a rise in absenteeism."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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