Why calling in sick is better for business

Absenteeism from work costs €1.5bn a year in Ireland, but presenteeism (going to work when you are too ill to perform) costs multiple times more in lost productivity, says Isobel Butler.         

A lesser known workplace problem than its cousin, absenteeism, presenteeism is turning up for work when you’re not feeling well, or are unable to work. It is a growing problem, but harder to identify. Presenteeism is also costly, and damages productivity and morale.

With presenteeism, employees are at work, but unable to function at their full capacity, due to illness, stress, emotional, or family circumstances, or ongoing medical conditions.