Association between work attendance when experiencing fever or cold symptoms and company characteristics and socioeconomic status in the COVID-19 pandemic in Japanese workers: a cross-sectional study

Objective This study investigated the association between attending work while experiencing fever or cold symptoms and workers’ socioeconomic background and company characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was performed. Of a total of 33,302 participants, 3,676 workers who experienced fever or cold symptoms after April 2020 were included. The odds ratios (ORs) of attending work while sick associated with workers’ socioeconomic background and company characteristics were evaluated using a multilevel logistic model. Results The OR of attending work while sick associated with a lack of policy prohibiting workers from working when ill was 2.75 (95%CI: 2.28–3.20, P<0.001). Conclusion This study suggests that clear company policies on work and illness can be effective for preventing employees from attending work while sick.