Transport and distribution workers worry about sick leave

Workers in the “transport & distribution” sector are worried about a loss of income when they have to take time off work for being sick, according to a new study. The study, commissioned by insurance company There researched the sick day habits of 25 different industries. Transportation and distribution workers take more time off work due to serious injuries sustained on the job than almost any other industry.

86 per cent of those workers recently surveyed stated that one of their biggest worries when off work ill was the risk of losing their income. That’s 31 per cent higher than the UK average from the industries in the survey. The only industry to rank higher is utilities. Interestingly, only 14 per cent of those in the transport & distribution industry worry about levels of work piling up while off sick, which is the lowest out of any industry questioned.

Just under half (47 per cent) of transport & distribution workers recently questioned had taken time off work because of a major injury while doing their job, compared to the national average of just 19 per cent. There is no industry ranking higher in this area.

Philippa McLaglen, marketing manager from There explained: “Our research shows that many of those working within the transport and distribution industry don’t like being off sick, because it directly affects their income. They simply can’t afford to miss a day of work. Little accidents are a common occurrence in everyday life, however transport workers only experience 4.84 per year, half as many as the UK average of 10.07 and less than any other industry.

Honesty is the best policy

Workers within the transport and distribution sector take 1.94 sick days per year, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 2.62. Out of all of the industries surveyed, the transport and distribution sector ranks in the bottom fifth for taking days off sick.”

Transport and distribution workers were the 3rd lowest ranking industry from the results when admitting they could have worked on a day when they called in sick (8 per cent on average). Only the voluntary and travel sectors adopt a more honest approach with regards to sick days.