We’ve all done it: Dragged ourselves into work when feeling sick as a dog – or emotionally under par. It’s fair to say those days weren’t our most productive, or our happiest at work!
“Presenteeism,” it would seem, is the close cousin of absenteeism who manages to insidiously dodge the limelight.
How do we define presenteeism exactly?
“Presenteeism” is being at work when you shouldn’t be and when as a result, as a result you are under productive. There are a number of different types of employees who exhibit presenteeism. These include:
There are, therefore, many reasons why presenteeisim occurs. Our fast and increasingly digital and competitive work environments are only but encouraging it’s spread, however.
Why should we be taking more notice of presenteeism?
Presenteeism is expensive to business…very expensive. A recent report by Pathology Australia discussed in HRM online suggests that the cost of presenteeism annually in Australia is $34 billion. Yep – that’s big bikkies!
So what can we do about it?
If you were questioning whether it would be good to implement a workplace wellness program then now is the time to get your act together – But…. (and there is a big but), the research I have seen suggests that a wellness program is far less effective if the underlying workplace culture and employee engagement is poor.
My top tips on improving engagement and culture are:
Lexie Wilkins, Culture and Employee-Engagement Expert and Director, Lexie Wilkins Consulting
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