Wish that co-worker in the next cubicle would just go home and nurse his runny nose instead of spreading sneezing germs throughout the office?
Don't hold your breath: He may be guilty of 'presenteeism.'
That's a term to describe when workers are physically present on the job but not working up to speed because they are ill or distracted by personal problems. A new study finds that nearly two-thirds - 61 per cent - of U.S. workers reported for duty under such circumstances, on an average of nearly seven days over the past six months.
That figure is more than twice the average of three days that employees missed work, according to the survey of 1,149 respondents commissioned by Philadelphia-based health insurer Cigna Corp.
But they aren't doing any favours: Sixty-two per cent said they were less productive on the days they came to work too distracted to perform at their best. And of that number, 75 per cent admitted their inability to do their best concerned them, and 61 per cent said they thought their co-workers noticed their sag in performance.
Why do they show up even when sick or distracted by personal issues? Thirty-eight per cent said it was out of a sense of duty, and 25 per cent said they needed the money. Other reasons included: not having enough, or any, sick leave or vacation days; feeling the company needed them; not wanting to burden co-workers; having a deadline to meet; or fearing been seen as uncommitted to their job.
Even while on the job, outside matters intruded. On average, workers said they spent between 2½ and five hours a week resolving personal issues while at work. And 46 per cent were absent at least once in the past six months.
"The survey demonstrates very clearly what every employee knows - that life impacts work and work impacts life," said Jodi Prohofsky, senior vice-president of operations for Cigna's health solutions unit.