New Research: I'm sick of you, stay away
(PRWEB UK) 12 December 2014 -- • 75 per cent of Brits wish their colleagues would stay at home when suffering from a cold
• 44 per cent of workers repulsed by co-workers sniffing and wiping their nose on sleeve
• 46 per cent of kitchen workers admit to sneezing without covering their mouth and nose
• 18 per cent of Brits refuse to accept a cuppa from a co-worker with a cold
• Estimated 153 million sick-days a year
Brits are sending a message loud and clear to their sneezing, sniffing colleagues – stay out of the office! New research by Otrivine® finds that 90 per cent of people would rather their sick colleagues worked from home, or took a sick day than come into the office unwell.
The new research from Otrivine® has found that over half (52 per cent) of Brits are repulsed by cold-suffering colleagues not covering their mouths when they cough. Forty-four per cent of UK workers find sniffing and wiping runny noses on sleeves disgusting and annoying – explaining why Brits want cold-suffering colleagues to stay away.
Poorly Brits are aware of their irritating workplace behaviour when suffering with a cold, with 46 per cent of kitchen workers admitting to sneezing without covering their mouth and nose. Thirty-one per cent of restaurant workers confess to coughing without covering their mouth, and wiping their nose on their hand (28 per cent).
Colleagues top eight annoying symptoms associated with a cold:
Symptom/habit associated with the cold
Not covering their mouth when they cough 52%
Sniffing 44%
Wiping their nose on their sleeve 44%
Sneezing 41%
Dirty tissues 40%
Runny noses 31%
Blowing noses 29%
Complaining of being ill 28%
The research from Otrivine® found that the average Brit (34 per cent) takes between one and five days off of work a year thanks to the common cold; those aged between 26 to 30 take the most days off work, and men are more familiar with sick days than women - with ten per cent admitting to taking between six and eight days off a year due to the common cold, versus five per cent of women.
With 30.61 million Brits in work in the UK, it equates to an estimated 153million sick-days a year.
It comes as no surprise that Brits would rather take a day off, as the annoying symptoms associated with a cold have led to a quarter of sufferers (25 per cent) feeling embarrassed and self-conscious about their symptoms, whilst 18 per cent feel that they annoy their colleagues with their constant sniffling.
Sufferers top eight annoying symptoms associated with a cold:
Symptom/habit associated with the cold
Runny nose 48%
Sore throat 43%
Sniffing 40%
Blowing nose 38%
Sneezing 34%
Chesty cough 34%
Tickly cough 32%
Crusty nose 22%
Otrivine®’s research reveals that over half (53 per cent) of UK co-workers believe they’ve caught a cold from a colleague, which goes some way to explain why nearly two fifths (38 per cent) of Brits consciously stay away from a cold-suffering co-worker and 35 per cent of people wash their hands after interacting with a colleague who has a cold – 18 per cent of Brits refuse to accept a cuppa from a co-worker with a cold.
The common cold also has an impact on work outputs, with woman more affected than men – 45 per cent of female cold sufferers are less productive, versus 38 per cent of men. Thirty-six per cent of women make more mistakes during their work day, whilst only 26 per cent of men admit to making additional mistakes.
Luckily, new formulation Otrivine® Congestion Relief is on hand this cold and flu season to help fight seven signs of congestion*. Unlike menthol decongestants, NEW formulation Otrivine® Congestion Relief combines the instant freshness of menthol with the decongestant power of Otrivine®. As it’s a spray, you don’t have to undress to apply it, and a quick spray can last all day - so no need for any more rubbing, sniffing or annoying colleagues this cold and flu season.
It’s simple: Stop messing about. Use Otrivine® Congestion Relief.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMBnTzDZo5o
###
Notes to Editors:
For more information or product images, please contact 3 Monkeys Communications: Megan: 020 7009 3117 / Otrivine(at)3-monkeys(dot)co(dot)uk or visit http://www.otrivine.co.uk
Otrivine® is a highly effective nasal decongestant that provides congestion relief for up to 10 hours. Available in two topically applied formats, spray or drops, it works to provide relief from nasal congestion caused by colds, hay fever and sinusitis.
The active ingredient in all medicated Otrivine® products is xylometazoline hydrochloride. This causes the blood vessels in the nose to contract and return to their normal size, helping to open up and clear the nasal passages.
Otrivine® drops and sprays work at the site of the problem as they’re applied directly to the inflamed nasal tissue. This means the active ingredient can start to work right away helping provide relief within minutes, unlike oral decongestant tablets, which have to be absorbed into the blood stream before they can start to work.
Otrivine® Congestion Relief 0.1% nasal spray contains xylometazoline hydrochloride. Always read the label.
*associated with colds
327701.8/NOV14
Novartis Team, 3 MONKEYS COMMUNCATIONS LTD, http://www.3-monkeys.co.uk, +44 20 7009 3117, [email protected]
Share this article