ONE in three care workers at Britain’s biggest provider cannot afford to take time off, it was revealed today.

A survey by the GMB union found that a third of workers at HC-One also definitely or seriously considered leaving the organisation if the pay does not rise to meet the challenge of costs.

More than 1,000 carers working for HC-One completed the poll.

Last year, HC-One implemented a groundbreaking policy of paying carers sick pay from day one of employment, with the current daily rate at £16.67.

The survey results form part of GMB’s pay claim to the company, calling on the daily sick pay rate to rise to £40 a day.

GMB national officer Natalie Grayson said: “HC-One have already shown they are leaders in the sector, by introducing day one sick pay.

“Now we are challenging them to go even further and recognise the need for sick pay at a rate that actually means carers can afford take time off when they are poorly.

“We know this is a big step — but it’s the right thing to do and HC-One has a track record of showing it cares about its workers.”

A spokesperson for HC-One said: "Our dedicated colleagues are at the absolute heart of everything we do and investing in them will always be a priority for us. While we know that there is still work to do, we are proud to be leading the way for the sector in our approach to sick pay, and to have invested over £71 million in colleague pay and reward in the past two years."