Working while sick raises construction site risk, study finds

The study also found that 67% of construction workers feel pressure to conceal illness at work, with nearly one in three saying they do so regularly. 

The findings highlight the growing problem of pleasanteeism, the pressure employees feel to appear “fine” despite physical or mental ill-health. While presenteeism describes working while unwell, pleasanteeism goes further: it reflects the need to actively hide illness, delaying support and increasing long-term risk for both workers and employers. 

This is particularly concerning in construction, which already has one of the highest accident rates of any UK industry. Health and Safety Executive statistics show there were 35 fatal injuries to construction workers between April 2024 and March 2025, a rate 4.8 times higher than the all-industry average. 

Financial pressures are the main reason construction workers hide illness, cited by 48% of respondents, followed by concerns that management would not understand (27%). 

Creating a culture of psychological safety, where workers feel able to be honest about their health, is especially critical in construction, where physically demanding environments and hazardous conditions mean even small errors can have serious consequences. 

Lime’s wider research shows pleasanteeism is rising across the UK workforce overall, affecting 69% of employees, up from 51% in 2021. 

Commenting on the findings, Shaun Williams, founder and CEO of Lime Health, said: “When workers feel they must hide how they are really feeling, the risks don’t disappear, they become invisible. 

“In environments like construction, where concentration, coordination and physical capability are essential for safety, hidden ill-health can directly increase the likelihood of mistakes and accidents. This isn’t simply an absence issue, it’s a safety issue. 

“Employers who create psychologically safe workplaces and support early health intervention will not only protect their people but also reduce operational risk and strengthen long-term workforce resilience.”