Most staff will force themselves into work, even when they are so sick they should legitimately be at home, according to new findings.

A recent survey by AXA PPP healthcare found that 72% of ill workers drag themselves to the office when they should be taking time off to recover.

Though many people come into work to help relieve colleagues (29%), there were also negative reasons for working while unwell.

More than a quarter of employees cited a high workload (24%) and a further 15% were scared of sick leave reflecting badly on their personal record.

The survey also found that sales and marketing employees were the most likely ‘working wounded’, with 87% unduly going into work.

Charities workers (48%) and IT specialists (43%) felt less compelled to go into work when under the weather.

Women are also more likely than men to continuing working while sick.

AXA PPP spokesman Dudley Lusted said: “Sickness absence is very often due to minor, self-limiting illnesses and, as this survey shows, most employees continue to turn up for work when they’re feeling under the weather.

“It’s wrong to subject hardworking people to over-zealous absence management methods such as having to report in sick to an occupational nurse ‘helpline’ or, as some employers have suggested, being subjected to a lie detector test!

“Smart employers will make sure their managers are properly trained and supported to manage attendance positively.”