People who ignore illness and come to work sick are costing employers $2 billion a year, a study has found.
The Southern Cross Medical Care Society says research it conducted demonstrates that there is a big potential payoff for the economy in preventing outbreaks of illness in the workforce.
The study found that, on average, employees went to work sick for 11 days each year and stayed home when ill for just four days a year.
Southern Cross Health Insurance says those who go to work as many as 11 days a year when they are sick probably have much more serious health problems than just a common cold. It says that is a matter of some concern.
