Loss of Productivity is Higher When Employees Report to Work During Illness

While employees may believe that they are helping their companies by reporting to work even when they are sick, a new study by Canadian researchers has found that the loss of productivity may be double than what it would have been had the employees taken a sick leave.
Researchers from the Concordia University polled more than 440 people and asked questions regarding their job requirements, work experience as well as the number of days they were present or absent at the job when they were sick.
The researchers found that the participants had an average of three presenteeism days and an average of 1.8 absenteeism days. Those who thought absenteeism as legitimate were absent or called in sick more often. However those who were insecure about their jobs reported to work even when they were sick.
“Presentees felt a compulsion to attend despite illness. Secure employees don’t fear retribution for an occasional absence because of sickness. Often a person might feel socially obligated to attend work despite illness, while other employees feel organizational pressure to attend work despite medical discomfort”, lead researcher Gary Johns said.