Women take almost 50% more time off work because of illness than men, according to research in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal.

The survey of 7,000 employees found that women were 46% more likely than men to take a few days of self-certified sick leave, and a third more likely to be signed off for a short period by a doctor.

However, women did not take more long-term sick leave, the research found.

The researchers suggested that it might be that women were better at recognising problems and seeking swift treatment.