Culture change | 'Sickfluencers' online trend concerns HR, but employers urged not to make assumptions

A growing social media trend is raising fresh concerns for employers, as influencers share advice on claiming sickness and disability benefits online.

That is the rise of the ‘sickfluencer’ - content creators who post tips on accessing sickness-related support, often linked to conditions such as ADHD, autism and anxiety – are gaining traction across platforms.

Employers urged not to make assumptions

Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR, warned that while misuse of the system may occur, employers must approach absence management carefully.

“Unfortunately, there will always be some people who try to take advantage of the system. As an employer, you should never assume whether somebody is neurodiverse or not; not all disabilities are visible. Likewise, all absences should be treated as genuine unless you have clear evidence to show otherwise.