Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the idea of coming into work sick, a new survey says Americans still do it.
In fact, 68% say they avoid calling in sick because they fear being taken to task by their employer.
Also according to the non-scientific poll of 1,700 Americans that was commissioned by Theraflu, Black and Latina employees are 10% more likely to avoid using sick days for fear of being reprimanded by their employers.
According to the survey, 55% of respondents say they’re required to give their managers a reason for calling in sick — but 66% feel their employers “never” believe them.
Respondents say they’ve gone into work sick an average of three times in the last year — and 58% of those say they’ve been so sick they can barely get out of bed.
Sixty-three percent of those polled say they’re hesitant to stay out because they feel guilty that their co-workers will have to pick up the slack.
Taking time off is also a financial strain for those who aren’t paid for sick days: 64% of respondents cited that as a reason to cowboy up and go in, even though they shouldn’t.
Black and Latina employees are respectively 14% and 8% more likely to cite financial strain as a reason not to call in sick — overall, 67% of respondents say they put their family’s needs above their own, and that’s why they work while sick rather than lose a day of pay.