Working While Sick January 08, 2007 From the Performance Newsletter
Cold and flu season is in full swing, and with it a key epidemic in the modern workplace: "presenteeism." A new study by the Workforce Institute sponsored by workforce management firm Kronos finds an overwhelming 98 percent of employees have come to work sick.
The study suggests bosses could do more to stem the trend. "Employees are craving flexibility from their employers. 'Working 9 to 5' is no longer the universal employee anthem," says Stuart Itkin, chief marketing officer at Kronos. "To reduce presenteeism, bolster employee satisfaction, improve workforce productivity, and boost the bottom line, best practice organizations are providing employees with flexibility and rewarding them based on results."
Among the sick at work trends:
* Top reasons for schlepping in when sick: I feel guilty for calling in; my workload is too heavy; I save my sick time for personal reasons like family emergencies, sick children, parent care issues and other unexpected events; and I try to have perfect attendance.
* Presenteeism feeds itself. When workers see others come to work ill, they feel they must do the same.
* 39 percent admit to abusing sick time, taking the day to shop, go to the beach or a spa.
Sales & Marketing Management Magazine
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