Have you ever gone to work even though you felt under the weather? Maybe you had a bad cold or just weren't feeling your best, but you dragged yourself to the office anyway. If so, you've experienced the opposite of the more commonly-known term of absenteeism — presenteeism.

But what is presenteeism and more specifically what is presenteeism in the workplace? Let’s dive in so you can get some more awareness about your workplace culture.

What is Presenteeism?

First, let’s talk about what is presenteeism and absenteeism in the workplace.

Absenteeism is when an employee calls out unexpectedly or has unscheduled absences frequently.

Presenteeism happens when people show up even when they're not feeling well enough to do their best work.

But why do people do this? It can be because of many attitudes ingrained into the workplace, like:

Pressure from a boss or coworker
Not having enough paid sick leave
Worrying about losing a job if you take a day off
Feeling like you have too much work to do and can’t afford to miss a day

But showing up when you're sick doesn't always mean you're being productive. In fact, it can often make things worse.

Impact of Presenteeism

Mental Health Effects

When asking yourself “What is presenteeism?” it’s important to acknowledge that presenteeism isn't just about physical health – it takes a toll on your mind too.

When you push yourself to work even when you're not feeling well, it can make you feel even more stressed, anxious, and burned out.

Over time, this kind of stress can wear you down and even lead to more serious mental health issues. Your overall happiness and well-being can also take a hit.

Productivity and Performance

It might seem like coming to work, even when you're not feeling well, shows dedication. But here's the surprising thing: presenteeism can actually make you less productive.

When you're sick or struggling, it's harder to focus, think clearly, and make good decisions. You might take longer to finish tasks, miss important details, or even make mistakes that you wouldn't normally make].

It's like trying to run a race with a sprained ankle – you might finish, but you won't be at your best.

Presenteeism doesn't just affect you; it can hurt your whole team and even the company. When one person is less productive, it can slow down projects, disrupt teamwork, and create a domino effect of delays.

This can lead to missed deadlines, unhappy customers, and even financial losses. Even though you might think you're helping by showing up, you could be causing more problems in the long run.

Workplace Culture and Morale

Presenteeism also affects the mood and energy in the workplace. When people feel pressured to work even when they're unwell, it can make them resentful and unhappy. They might start to feel like their health and well-being don't matter, which can lead to low morale, decreased motivation, and even thoughts of quitting.

A workplace where everyone is stressed, overworked, and getting sick is not a happy or productive one.

How to Identify Presenteeism in Your Workplace

Now that you have the answer to the question “What is presenteeism?” let’s talk about how to spot it in the workplace. It isn't always easy to spot, as it's not as obvious as someone missing work entirely.

However, there are some telltale signs you can watch for to see if presenteeism might be an issue in your workplace.

Observable Behaviours

So, what is presenteeism at work and how do you spot it? One way to identify presenteeism is by simply observing your employees. Are they showing signs of being unwell, like coughing, sneezing, or looking tired? Maybe they're having trouble focusing or seem more irritable than usual.

These could be clues that they're pushing through work despite not feeling their best. It's also important to notice changes in behaviour, like someone who is usually outgoing becoming withdrawn, or a top performer suddenly making more mistakes.

Work Output Indicators

Another way to detect presenteeism is by looking at the work itself. Are you noticing a dip in productivity, missed deadlines, or more errors than usual?

You can also track attendance patterns and see if there's a trend of people coming to work even when they're sick or putting in extra-long hours, even when their workload doesn't require it.

Employee Feedback and Surveys

If you’re an employer, the best way to understand what's happening is to ask your employees directly. Conducting anonymous surveys can give you valuable insights into how your employees feel about the workplace culture, their stress levels, and their attitudes toward coming to work when unwell.

You could also encourage your team to start a Mental Health Employee Resource Group (ERG) to further promote wellness in the workplace.

How to Combat Presenteeism

Creating a healthy and productive work environment is a shared responsibility between employers and employees. Here are some ways to combat presenteeism in the workplace so yourself and/or your team can feel both productive and well.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexibility can go a long way in combating presenteeism. Allowing employees to work from home when they're not feeling well is a great option. This way, they can still contribute to their team's efforts without risking the health of their coworkers or struggling to concentrate in the office.

Promoting Work-Life Balance

We all need time to rest and recharge, and that's where promoting work-life balance comes in. Encourage your employees to use their vacation time and mental health days. Remind them that taking breaks is essential for their well-being and can ultimately improve their performance at work. It's also important to discourage overwork and set clear expectations about working hours.

No one should feel pressured to be constantly available or work late into the night. If you see your team doing this, you should remind them that they aren’t required to answer emails and calls after hours. This also goes for yourself — don’t contact your employees or fellow team members after hours, as you’ll be promoting over-working even if it’s just for a small thing.

Awareness Programs & Trainings

Organize workshops or training sessions that delve into what presenteeism is, why it happens, and the negative consequences it can have on both individuals and the workplace as a whole.

It’s also crucial to promote healthy habits within your workplace. This could involve offering resources and information on stress management techniques, such as mindfulness or meditation exercises, as well as tips for self-care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

You could even organize wellness challenges or provide healthy snacks in the break room to encourage employees to prioritize their physical and mental health.

Implementing Policies That Support Health

A supportive workplace culture starts with policies that prioritize employee health. One crucial aspect is providing generous sick leave. When employees have adequate paid time off to recover from illness or injury, they're less likely to feel pressured to come to work when they shouldn't. This not only benefits their own health but also protects their colleagues from getting sick.

In addition to sick leave, it's important to offer mental health support. Many employees struggle with stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges that can contribute to presenteeism. By providing access to counseling, depression therapy, anxiety therapy, or employee assistance programs, you can help employees get the support they need to manage their mental health and feel their best at work.

Find Work/Life Balance with Access Therapy!

Many people find it challenging to juggle their work responsibilities and take care of their mental health. Our Hamilton therapy office offers CBT therapy, trauma therapy, and more to help you understand the challenges that come up in your life (work-related or not!).

Book a free consultation with Access Therapy today, and one of our team member can help you find your options for making sure your work/life balance is just what it needs to be!

What is Presenteeism in the Workplace?