Company offers employees 'unsick' days so they can visit the doctor and dentist

The majority of US employees feel uncomfortable taking time off for medical appointments

(AndreyPopov/iStock)

An US online firm is offering its employees "unsick days” so they make medical appointments, after a survey showed that 60 per cent of workers feel uncomfortable leaving work for check-ups.

Zocdoc, an medical appointment scheduling service, is rolling out unsick days to encourage its workers to take care of their health.

The firm introduced the policy after its survey of over 2,000 US workers uncovered that half of those uncomfortable with taking time off for appointments blamed their company’s work culture.

Ffirms were more likely to retain employees by offering such benefits, according to the research.

Firms including Foursquare, Greatist and Virgin Hotels have taken up the gauntlet to offer employees unsick days in 2017, with higher-ups promising to lead by example.

“As a nation, we often neglect our health when we're well. But with seven in 10 US deaths related to preventable diseases, empowering Americans to utilize preventive care services is critical,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association.

The majority of adults in the US receive health insurance from their employers as well as preventative care services under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. However, three quarters of adults do not use these benefits.

“Employers play an important role in assuring access to care for many Americans, and better workplace incentives will lead to positive benefits for individuals and businesses alike.”