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Posted By Alison Langley
In parts of my organisation there is a real problem with presenteeism - people turning up for work when they are really not fit to be there. Do others have this problem, and if so what tips or advice can you give, and/or do you know of any research into this subject?
Thanks
Alison
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Posted By Ron Hunter
A Google search on the term "mucus troopers" will give you some light reading!
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Posted By mike morland
Not an easy one Alison as this can often boil down to company policies.
There are several reasons, as I'm sure you appreciate, why people turn up for work when they are ill.
Whilst there are those that will wake up, sneeze once and stay in bed (don't need much of a reason to take time off), there are equally those who will drag themselves to work no matter how ill they feel perhaps because they may not get paid if they have time off.
Or it may be out of a sense of duty or loyalty?)
And of course there are those who fear reprisals from their boss for absenteeism i.e. three times absent in X period of time = disciplinary for poor attendance.
Therefore unless your company has a policy that actually tells employees to stay at home if they feel unwell, and I must confess I don't know of any that do, then it will have to be down to the supervision/management to assess the individual and perhaps, using a little compassion, convince them to go home.
Sorry, don't know of any statistic on this.
Regards
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Posted By John Richards
I await, with interest, the first litigation.
"I got flu because the boss allows ill workers to turn up"
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Posted By LMR
Bradford points system! only go sick if you must and take a full 14 days off as you score better than if you take a day/two or three to get over bad (infectious) cold or even to get rid of the norovirus (advice by HM Gov to take two days after symptoms - they obviously do not have Bradford points systems in place!). . . much better to spread it around and score less and avoid disciplinary actions at 'trigger levels' leading to dismissal!!!!!
cynical - just a bit!
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Posted By Tarquin Farquor
Alison,
Some organisations have attendance 'reward' programs with vouchers etc for 100% attendance over a given period. I think the post office were in the press a year or so ago for entering everyone with 100% attendance in a period into a prize draw for a car.
There was also recently an interesting article in SHP regarding absenteeism and the lack of efficiencies of having 'ill' employees at work.
Regards,
Alan
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Alison
Your question 'Do others have this problem, and if so what tips or advice can you give, and/or do you know of any research into this subject? is more complex than meets the eye. So, here's a bit-by-bit brief reply.
1. Yes, thousands of companies in the UK alone have this problem.
2. A simple practical way to address it is to use I.T. to circulate an monitoring questionnaire monthly and use the resulting data to advise directors on the implications of employees working while reporting sickness.
3. The journal "Work and Stress" published by Taylor and Francis publishes research on this issue; Cary Cooper is one of the leading researchers on it.
4. If you want to address the significant issues involved, approach your safety role in terms of coaching managers and directors to lead through positive reinforcement and not merely to comply through negative reinforcement. Tom Krause and Scott Geller have published some good guidance on this approach
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Posted By water67.
LA employer..3 strike rule 3 absence in a 12 month period (rolling) and it's off to occ health all sorts of interviews "encouragement" not to take time off. etc. etc. = half workforce giving other half constant colds, bugs etc. some staff obviously quite unwell still coming into work..
I agree with the rewarding good attendance idea..much used to very good effect in other countries.. check aussie system..
cheers
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Posted By Alison Langley
Thanks for all your responses. Kieran in particular thanks for your reply - I'll look into 'Work and Stress' journal and other sources you suggest.
Alison
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