A care worker has been praised for completing 31 years at work without using a single sick day.

Jean Hague, 63, who lives on Canvey, is a care worker with Essex Cares Ltd and has worked for the company since 1987 looking after hundreds of people during her time.

It may be hard to believe in an era of bad weather, flu epidemics and flexible schedules, that Jean hasn’t missed a day of work in decades.

With the increase in flexible working, where the emphasis is on getting employees to do the best work without stressing attendance, there are still some jobs, such as in health and social care, where being present is vital.

Like many people who work in this sector, Jean says the main reason for her high attendance rate is the love and pride she takes in her job.

Although Jean did admit she just simply “does not have the time” to get ill.

She said of her time as a full-time mum: “Years ago my job was shopping and housework. My husband had only just come out of the Army and I had the two children. Money was tight.

“Then I went for my interview as a care worker on a Friday and started the following Monday.

“That was it, started the job. I am 63 now, and I was 32 when I started.

“I just don’t get sick, I haven’t got time to. I started getting the flu jab with my mum and carried on with my daughter. It doesn’t affect me and I’m sure it helps me, touch wood, to stay well.”

Jean has always thoroughly enjoyed her work from the very first day, despite being handed a bucket of water by one of the people she was to care for and told, ‘there you go, you can start cleaning the walls now’.

Jean takes a huge amount of pleasure in the stories she hears, including those from a man in Hadleigh who had fought in the First World War, showing her his bravery medal and telling her of his experiences.

After 31 years in the job, Jean has no plans for retirement.

She said: “I just like people. I don’t think that I am ready to retire yet.

“I can’t get my pension until I am 66. But I like what I am doing still.”

Fiona Hogg, area business manager, said: “Jean is an exemplary member of staff, nothing is ever to much trouble, she goes over and above on a daily basis.

“Jean also loves a cup of tea, ask anyone who knows her. My frontline staff are my service and Jean is one of the best. An absolute trooper."