Hay fever leaves employees struggling to complete work, says research

As the warmer months start to roll in, hay fever strikes again, causing many sufferers to take time off work due to their allergy.

In fact, one in five sufferers have had to call in sick as the itchy eyes, runny noses and sneezing fits have left almost four in ten struggling to do their job.

However, a third confessed to not being completely honest with their employer about why they needed time off, with the majority saying that their boss wouldn’t see hay fever as an acceptable excuse.

“Hay fever affects up to 30 per cent of adults in the UK and 40 per cent of children, according to Allergy UK”, said Jane Devenish, pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, who commissioned the research.

“Symptoms can be severe, including headaches, blocked sinuses, shortness of breath, watering red itchy eyes, and even difficulty hearing, which can have a real impact on quality of life.”

44 per cent of respondents cited that they were unable to stay focussed during the day because they are interrupting their day to blow their nose or sneeze.

But almost half of sufferers agreed those around them who don’t have pollen allergies are not very understanding of their symptoms and the effect it has on them.

It’s not just work where hay fever sufferers are effected though, as 84 per cent said it effects their quality of life, with many struggling to get a quality night’s sleep when symptoms kick in.