More Burgenland workers go to work while ill

More than two-thirds of employees in Burgenland went to work despite being ill last year, according to a survey by the Chamber of Labour, reported by ORF.

The trend of working while sick, either at the workplace or from home, continued to grow, according to the Chamber of Labour’s labour climate index. The organisation said the figure was a new record.

Some 63 percent of respondents cited a sense of duty towards colleagues as a reason. Another 40 percent said work would otherwise be left unfinished, while 15 percent said they feared dismissal.

The trend was particularly pronounced in healthcare and social services and in retail. Women were more likely than men to work while ill.

The Chamber of Labour warned that the practice can increase the risk of mistakes, prolong recovery, lead to subsequent illnesses and contribute to burnout. It can also expose colleagues to infection.