Almost 12 million employees have suffered an injury or illness at work over the past year, a new survey has claimed.
According to insurance group Royal Sun Alliance, 11.8 million workers were injured or taken ill as a result of their job in the last 12 months.
The cost was 36 million working days lost in 2006 and 2007.
The survey found that 17 per cent of those injured in the workplace or who have become ill due to their working conditions have had to take between one and six months off work to recover.
Perhaps as worrying for businesses were figures showing that over half (54 per cent) of employees injured at work have sued their employers, while a third took claims to their trade unions.
Colin Bradbury, underwriting director at RSA, said: “These figures show a significant number of injuries and illnesses are being incurred in the workplace. If there are team members missing or unable to take part in decisions, this can only have a negative effect on the business and involve the company in significant costs.”
Date:15 July 2008
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