Americans are finding it challenging to disconnect from work. Although 63% of workers reported they would turn down a job opportunity if a hiring firm’s employment benefits did not include paid time off, more than 765 million PTO days have gone unused by Americans, according to Forbes.
Employees are even reporting to work or logging on from home despite mental or physical ailments. This personal obligation to work while your health is afflicted—referred to as “presenteeism”—can negatively impact both workers and the company, resulting in reduced productivity, increased health risks and lower morale.
A Culture Of Presenteeism
While the shift to remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic brought flexibility to the workplace, it has also complicated employees’ relationships to their jobs and establishing boundaries. Staff may feel compelled to show up while sick out of pure guilt for being afforded the luxury of working from home.
Business leaders have been outspoken in their disdain of this work style, with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon calling it an “aberration.” Workers don’t want to feel like they’re taking advantage of an already flexible workplace or failing to meet their employer’s standards by calling out sick.
Moreover, an in-office employee has to consider the spreading of an illness when reporting to work, which might prompt them to take a sick day. A remote worker does not have to give the same considerations since they are confined to their own home. They can work more freely without the fear of judgment for coughing, sneezing or looking physically unwell.
Employees may not feel comfortable taking time off if they are experiencing job insecurity. Economic and geopolitical events have caused companies to exercise belt-tightening and cost-cutting measures, resulting in a wave of layoffs permeating throughout mid-2022 and 2023. According to Layoffs.fyi, over 220,000 employees have been downsized in the tech sector alone this year.
In a March 2023 Randstad global survey, 52% of respondents reported concern about the economy and how it would affect their livelihood. More than one-third of the workers surveyed said they are worried about losing their job. That fear may motivate employees to show up to work in poor health to demonstrate their unwavering loyalty and dedication to their job and the company.
The Negative Impacts Of Presenteeism
Presenteeism is counterintuitive to worker productivity and engagement, affecting a company’s bottom line. When employees fail to prioritize their health by giving themselves time to recover, they are less likely to be productive, resulting in missed deadlines, poor work quality and increased stress and anxiety levels. Presenteeism can lead to burnout, as they constantly push themselves beyond their physical or mental limitations.
Additionally, the worker is putting themself at risk of prolonged health issues. They are more likely to develop chronic health problems if their illness is not properly treated. If an in-office employee shows up to work sick, they are also putting their co-workers or clients at risk.
A culture of presenteeism can lower company morale. When workers do not feel supported by their employer, in feeling safe enough to request time off, they are more likely to be unhappy and disengaged in the workplace.
How You Can Set Boundaries
Disconnecting from work is essential for your physical and mental health. To avoid falling victim to presenteeism, you must set clear boundaries to protect your overall well-being.
First and foremost, if you are injured or feeling mentally or physically unwell, you must take personal time to get the proper medical attention you need. It is also important to allow yourself time to rest and recover, as you are no good to anybody if you feel run down. This means not checking work emails or taking calls while out of the office. Since you require some time off, do not hesitate to delegate tasks to your team, as that is what they are there for.
To avoid future burnout, make sure you are using your personal, vacation and sick days to give yourself respite. If your workload is overwhelming, request a meeting with your manager to discuss work-life balance concerns.
If there is a pervasive culture of presenteeism and your employer is not empathetic to or dismissive and intolerant of employee well-being, you must consider if this is the right company for you. No one should have to feel scared about prioritizing their health over work.
Source: Forbes
