The Real Reasons We Work Sick? LifeCare^® Poll Has the Answers

WESTPORT, Conn., March 21, 2006 – Going to work sick is the sign of a superior work ethic, right? Not necessarily, according to a new poll by LifeCare^®, Inc., the work/life pioneer and leading creator of innovative life management services. In a poll conducted on LifeCare's private web site during the month of February, individuals were asked, “When you go to work sick, what is your main reason?” The most common answer was that it is “too risky to take time off,” cited by 32 percent of the respondents. Here are their other responses:

		25% said, “Other people depend on me and I don't want to let them down.”
		12% said they're “too busy to stay home.”
		9% said they “save sick days for child care emergencies.”
		6% said they “don't work when sick.”
		5% said they “save sick days for vacation time.”
		3% said they “save sick days for elder care emergencies.”
		8% said they had “other” reasons.

LifeCare conducted a similar poll in the summer of 2004, when the most common response (at 27 percent) was that people went to work ill because they were stressed about their workload. The second most popular answer in 2004 (at 24 percent) was that it was “too risky” to take off—2006's top response.

“We all have reasons that we go to work sick but lots of employers these days are asking their people to rethink those reasons,” said LifeCare CEO, Peter G. Burki. “People simply aren't as productive when they work sick, and there's a good chance they'll spread their illness no matter how careful they try to be. This begins a vicious cycle that can end up costing employers significantly in terms of health care expenditures, lost productivity and higher levels of absenteeism. Bottom line, working sick isn't worth it to anybody. And that applies especially to the 45 percent of people who work sick for non-caregiving and non-family related reasons.”

Each month, LifeCare posts a poll on its private members' web site asking individuals to share their thoughts and opinions on the latest issues and work/life trends. Past polls have addressed topics such as family caregiving challenges, aging, flexible work arrangements, workplace safety and barriers to on-the-job productivity.

HR Poll Results

LifeCare also conducts a monthly poll of Human Resources professionals on its site. The February poll asked them the following: “A growing number of employers are offering workers financial incentives to complete a health risk assessment and participate in wellness programs. Would your organization consider doing this?” Fifty-six percent of respondents answered “Yes,” while 38 percent were “Unsure.” Only six percent said “No.”

Health risk assessments and health and wellness programs are becoming increasingly popular tools for employers interested in combating rising health care costs. “More and more employers are adopting the philosophy that money spent on health promotion and disease prevention is money spent very wisely,” Burki notes. Promotion and prevention are far cheaper than paying for health care services once disease and chronic conditions have set in. High quality work/life programs—such as LifeCare's Health and Wellness Program—also offer employers the opportunity to customize the services they offer to employees, which makes them even more cost-effective to deliver.

Notes to Editors

Peter G. Burki is available for interview.

About LifeCare^®, Inc.
With 22 years of experience in delivering highly personalized counseling, education and referral services, LifeCare helps people manage the day-to-day challenges of their lives and plan for their futures more effectively. From child care and parenting needs … to elder care and aging challenges … to personal health concerns … and far beyond … we provide high-quality tools and information 24/7 through our professionally staffed call center and award-winning web site. LifeCare currently serves 1,500 client companies with 4.5 million individuals within health plans, governmental agencies, unions and corporations. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.

Media contact: Michael Civiello
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4170