Financial pressure could push 78 per cent of workers back to work too soon

More than three-quarters of UK workers could return to work before they have medically recovered from an accident or injury because of financial pressures, raising concerns about presenteeism and the support available to employees during periods of ill health.

Research commissioned by law firm Simpson Millar found 78 per cent of people would be likely to return to work sooner than medically advised if an accident or injury left them unable to work.

Almost a third, 30 per cent, said they would be very likely to return early because of the financial impact of being off work.

The findings highlight the close relationship between financial wellbeing and physical health at work, with income concerns potentially influencing whether employees take sufficient time to recover or access appropriate treatment.

Almost four in 10 (39 per cent), said they had already risked their health at work because they could not afford to take time off.

Financial pressures could also affect recovery and treatment. Three in five (60 per cent) said pressure to get back to work would make them skip or delay treatment such as physiotherapy or rest. This included 16 per cent who said they would definitely do so and 44 per cent who said they probably would.

Two-thirds (67 per cent) were concerned about how they would cope financially if an injury meant they could not work, while 62 per cent were worried about staying afloat following a sudden loss of income.

The findings suggest employers considering financial wellbeing strategies may need to look beyond day-to-day money management and consider how employees would cope financially during periods of sickness or unexpected absence.

They also raise questions around how sick pay, income protection, rehabilitation, occupational health and return-to-work policies can work together to prevent financial pressures encouraging employees to return before they are ready.

Younger people appeared particularly exposed. Almost nine in 10 (88 per cent) of 18 to 24-year-olds said they would return sooner than medically advised because of financial pressure, compared with 65 per cent of people aged 55 and older.

Almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of 18 to 24-year-olds also said financial pressures would make them skip or delay treatment, compared with 50 per cent of those aged more than 55.

Women reported greater concerns about the financial consequences of being unable to work. Almost three-quarters, 74 per cent, said they were worried about how they would cope financially following an injury, compared with 61 per cent of men.

There were also regional differences. Some 84 per cent of respondents in the South West said they would return before medically advised, compared with 67 per cent in the North East.

Susan Vanden, Partner in the Personal Injury team at Simpson Millar, said: “An accident or injury can happen without warning, and alongside the physical impact, there’s often a financial one too. Our research shows just how much money worries are shaping recovery decisions, with people returning to work too soon or delaying treatment, which can risk making a difficult situation harder. Nobody should have to choose between their health and paying their bills.

“Where an accident or injury wasn’t your fault and was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. Compensation isn’t just about the injury itself. It can also cover financial losses like loss of earnings, and help meet the costs of treatment and rehabilitation. In serious injury cases, interim payments may even be available before a claim concludes, easing financial pressure while it’s ongoing to ensure the focus is on recovery.”

The research was based on a study of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by Simpson Millar.