Indian workers amongst highest sickies: Survey

A survey has found that India is the second worst country where taking sick leaves are concerned.

Conducted across Australia, China, France, United Kingdom, India, Mexico and the United States, the survey found the booming economy of China taking first place at 71 percent, followed by India at 62 percent and then Australia, the Courier Mail reported.

Feeling stressed was the number one reason for sickies, according to the survey by workforce managers Kronos. Almost 40 percent of people surveyed would like to see the introduction of summer Fridays where staff could take either a half-day or full day off during the summer months and make the time up during the rest of the week.

The option of flexible working hours, choice to take unpaid leave if required, and the ability to work from home were the three most desired attributes when it comes to what employers can offer their staff in order to help them manage work/life balance, reduce stress and address the number of sickies taken, Kronos general manager Peter Harte said.

It said a third of people chuck a sickie to take care of a sick child or family member, while 10 percent cited a heavy workload as the motivator. Furthermore, 61 per cent of  workers felt their employers should introduce flexible working hours in order to reduce the number of sickies that are taken.