Inequalities in access to paid sick leave among workers in England and Wales

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 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 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 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.