Asian workers face higher ‘sick-shaming’ and poorer health, report warns

The article reports on a new study by the Race Equality Foundation, Too Poor to Be Sick: Race, Work and Ill-Health, which argues that Asian, Black, and other minority ethnic workers in the UK face higher levels of “sick-shaming” and poorer health outcomes than their white counterparts. According to the report, many workers from these communities feel unable to take time off when ill because they fear being labelled troublemakers, damaging their career prospects, or even losing their jobs. The authors warn that without action, these pressures could drive more people out of the workforce early, worsening both productivity and health inequalities.

A major finding is that minority ethnic workers are disproportionately concentrated in lower-paid and higher-risk sectors such as social care, retail, and hospitality. These jobs often involve demanding working conditions, greater exposure to health hazards, and weaker workplace protections. Although employment rights and sick-pay provisions exist, the report argues that many workers either do not know about them or are reluctant to use them because they lack confidence that the system will protect them fairly.

The report also highlights a long-term health pattern among Asian and other minority ethnic groups. While many report similar or better health than white workers at younger ages, their health tends to deteriorate more rapidly from middle age onwards. Researchers suggest that cumulative workplace disadvantages, stress, and unequal access to support contribute to earlier onset of chronic health conditions. Minority women are described as facing additional challenges because they often balance paid work with significant caregiving responsibilities at home, which can further affect their health and career progression.

The article includes comments from Race Equality Foundation chief executive Jabeer Butt, who argues that employment policies need a stronger “race equality lens.” He contends that low statutory sick pay, unequal access to occupational sick pay, and weak enforcement of employment rights leave many minority workers vulnerable. Butt calls on both government and employers to improve protections, collect better data on who can access sick pay and occupational health services, and invest in support measures such as childcare and workplace equality initiatives to reduce the disparities identified in the report.

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