The sick day is becoming a thing of the past as Kent employees drag themselves into work.

Nine out of 10 UK workers admit to having concerns over their health but say that worries about job security, finance and the demands of their employers mean many are working through their illness.

The findings of the HSA’s Healthy Working Report also reveal a third of Kent employees have not taken a day off sick in the last year.

Around 93 per cent of workers in the county would come into the office with the common cold.

That sounds fair enough - but although 81 per cent would call in sick if they had the flu, about one in seven would still come in even if they were suffering from sickness or diarrhoea.

But is this right or are we helping diseases spread by coming into work?

Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks agreed people should come into work they are only suffering from a cold - but said we should be more willing to take time off with other ailments.

He said: "Flu can be quite serious, particularly if you have other conditions such as kidney disease or heart disease or asthma, whereas diarrhoea and vomiting, most of that can be transmitted from person to person by hands and so on.

"If you're still feverish, unwell and can't think straight after trying simple remedies then you will need to take time off."

However, he said there are times when coming into work can be beneficial such as when suffering from back pain as people tend to recover quicker if they are in work.

The HSA’s research also revealed the credit crunch is swaying people’s minds about taking a sick as 42 per cent indicated they would be less likely to take time off during and economic slowdown.

Dr Spinks said: "There are times that I’m advising people to take time off work and they’re reluctant to do that.

"People are worried about their jobs and they’re nervous about taking time off because maybe they’ll be at risk of losing them."