Here are some more stats from the recent Mind The Gap Forum.
Most people severely underestimate the likelihood of being off work for a long period caused by sickness.
- 60% of employed New Zealanders think that the chance of being unable to work for 6 months or more is the same or greater following an accident rather than sickness.
- In reality for employed 18-64 year old New Zealanders, it is 1.8 times more likely that a main earner will be off work for 6 months or more following sickness than following an accident.
Many people don’t understand that Social Welfare or ACC may not be able to help them.
- 51% of people 18-64, in employment are not aware that their partner’s income (if $30,000 or more) will preclude them from receiving all or part of a Job Seeker allowance (previously known as a sickness benefit at a maximum of $340 a week).
- 1 in 5 New Zealanders think wrongly that ACC covers long term sickness that prevents employment.