Why Do Women Take More Sick Days Than Men?

A study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in UK found that women are almost 42% more likely to take sick days than men. This difference is even more pronounced in certain industries, such as healthcare and education.

There are a number of reasons why women may take more sick days than men. One reason is that women are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions, such as asthma, migraine, and depression. These conditions can make it difficult for women to work full-time, and they may need to take more sick days to manage their symptoms.

Another reason why women may take more sick days is that they are more likely to be the primary caregivers for children or elderly relatives. This can add a lot of stress to women's lives, and they may need to take sick days to deal with family emergencies.

Finally, women may be more likely to take sick days because they feel less able to say no to their employers. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that women are more likely than men to feel guilty about taking sick days, even when they are legitimately ill. This can lead women to work when they are sick, which can make their health worse in the long run.

There are a number of things that can be done to address the gender gap in sick days. One is to improve access to healthcare for women by giving them tools to improve their health especially in the work place. Some examples are: health & wellbeing coaching sessions to teach woman how to address their health concerns, how to use their lunch breaks appropriately to maintain their energy, focus and reduce stress. Providing with fresh food choices, weekly hour of power or similar. This would help to reduce the number of women who are sick with chronic health conditions.

Another is to provide more support for women who are caregivers. This could include flexible work arrangements, paid family leave, and subsidized childcare. Finally, it is important to challenge the stigma around women taking sick days. Employers and co-workers need to understand that women are just as likely to get sick as men, and they should not be penalized for taking time off when they are ill.

By addressing the root causes of the gender gap in sick days, we can create a more equitable workplace for all employees.