Inequalities in access to paid sick leave among workers in England and Wales.
COVID-19
health equity
health policy
public health
Journal
The International journal of health planning and management
ISSN: 1099-1751
Titre abrégé: Int J Health Plann Manage
Pays: England
ID NLM: 8605825
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Nov 2023
Nov 2023
Historique:
received:
13
07
2023
accepted:
20
07
2023
medline:
13
11
2023
pubmed:
7
8
2023
entrez:
7
8
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
It is poorly understood which workers lack access to sick pay in England and Wales. This evidence gap has been of particular interest in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic given the relationship between presenteeism and infectious disease transmission. This cross-sectional analysis (n = 8874) was nested within a large community cohort study based across England and Wales (Virus Watch). An online survey in February 2021 asked participants in work if they had access to paid sick leave. We used logistic regression to examine sociodemographic factors associated with lacking access to sick pay. Only 66% (n = 5864) of participants reported access to sick pay. South Asian workers (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.83) and those from Other minority ethnic backgrounds (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.54-5.59) were more likely to lack access to sick pay compared to White British workers. Older workers (OR range 1.72 [1.53-1.93]-5.26 [4.42-6.26]), workers in low-income households (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.15-2.98) and those in transport, trade, and service occupations (OR range 2.03 [1.58-2.61]-5.29 [3.67-7.72]) were also more likely to lack access to sick pay compared respectively to workers aged 25-44, those in high income households and managerial occupations. Unwarranted age and ethnic inequalities in sick pay access are suggestive of labour market discrimination. Occupational differences are also cause for concern. Policymakers should consider expanding access to sick pay to mitigate transmission of Covid-19 and other endemic respiratory infections in the community, and in the context of pandemic preparation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
It is poorly understood which workers lack access to sick pay in England and Wales. This evidence gap has been of particular interest in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic given the relationship between presenteeism and infectious disease transmission.
METHOD
METHODS
This cross-sectional analysis (n = 8874) was nested within a large community cohort study based across England and Wales (Virus Watch). An online survey in February 2021 asked participants in work if they had access to paid sick leave. We used logistic regression to examine sociodemographic factors associated with lacking access to sick pay.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Only 66% (n = 5864) of participants reported access to sick pay. South Asian workers (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.83) and those from Other minority ethnic backgrounds (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.54-5.59) were more likely to lack access to sick pay compared to White British workers. Older workers (OR range 1.72 [1.53-1.93]-5.26 [4.42-6.26]), workers in low-income households (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.15-2.98) and those in transport, trade, and service occupations (OR range 2.03 [1.58-2.61]-5.29 [3.67-7.72]) were also more likely to lack access to sick pay compared respectively to workers aged 25-44, those in high income households and managerial occupations.
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Unwarranted age and ethnic inequalities in sick pay access are suggestive of labour market discrimination. Occupational differences are also cause for concern. Policymakers should consider expanding access to sick pay to mitigate transmission of Covid-19 and other endemic respiratory infections in the community, and in the context of pandemic preparation.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
1864-1876Subventions
Organisme : Wellcome Trust
ID : 206602
Pays : United Kingdom
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/V028375/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Organisme : Wellcome Trust
ID : 206602
Pays : United Kingdom
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MC_PC 19070
Pays : United Kingdom
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/V028375/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/N013867/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Informations de copyright
© 2023 The Authors. The International Journal of Health Planning and Management published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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