• Presenteeism: A Growing Problem

    Date: 23.07.2010

    These days, there’s increasing pressure on employees to carry out their job responsibilities no matter what else might be going on in their lives. In addition to factors precipitated by tough economic conditions, such as staffing shortfalls, changing workplace cultures demand more of individual employees in terms of productivity and output.

    Although these changes have resulted in some positive trends, they have also created a few unforeseen consequences that may actually be hurting productivity. Chief among these is the increasingly prevalent problem known as ‘presenteeism.’

    Whereas ‘absenteeism’ is chronic overuse or abuse of an employers’ sick leave policy, presenteeism describes a situation when employees feel compelled to show up at the office, even when they shouldn’t. In addition to hurting morale, presenteeism can also cut into a firm’s bottom line, such as when an ill employee drags in with a highly contagious virus and renders half the staff incapable of working for a week.

    So how can your workplace stake out the middle ground between the two problematic poles of absenteeism and presenteeism? Here are some tips from top personnel policy experts.

    • Re-examine sick leave procedures. Experts recommend jettisoning excessively strict or punitive sick-leave measures.
    • Convene a meeting to discuss the issue with staff. Explain that showing up sick doesn’t do anyone any good, and make it clear that you don’t expect this from your employees. 
    • Offer telework and other work-from-home opportunities. Even if only temporary, such alternatives can significantly reduce the prevalence of presenteeism.
    • Bolster your workplace wellness offerings. With a healthier staff, you may be able to circumvent the absenteeism/presenteeism axis altogether. 

    Although the sick worker who comes into the office despite being deathly ill has been held up as the dictionary definition of ‘dedication,’ presenteeism usually does more harm than good. Banish this stereotype from your workplace and everyone will benefit.