Consumer Corner: Can you afford not to work when you are sick?

This year there were some big changes in paid sick days - and now companies must pay their employees if they are ill.

Pic: iStock

It is the season for coughs and colds. Having to take a sick day from work is all very well but what are the implications for your finances? Many people, especially with the working from home culture alive and well feel an obligation, financially or otherwise to work through an illness. A recent survey from Aviva found that almost three quarters of people in Ireland would feel a sense of responsibility to their family or their employer which would drive them to endeavour to continue to work if they were to fall ill for an extended period of time.

It can often be the case that people put their health at risk by working through illness because they feel under pressure to continue to work so they can support their family or can continue to honour financial commitments such as mortgages, rent and so on.