He Labor presenteeism is the situation in which employees are physically present at their workplacebut they are not fully engaged or working at their best capacity due to various reasons.
In other words, it refers to the practice of going to work even when you are not in optimal conditions, be it personal factors, illness, fatigue, stress or other factors that could affect work performance. Unlike absenteeism, where employees do not show up for work, absenteeism involves being physically present, but with reduced performance and lower productivity.
What is presenteeism at work and how can it affect your work and well-being?
This situation can have negative consequences for both the employee and the company in terms of efficiency, work quality and job satisfaction, since it can affect productivity in various ways:
Decreased performance
When an employee is not at their best, their ability to perform tasks efficiently and effectively suffers. This can lead to errors, poor quality of work, and a decrease in overall productivity.
spread of diseases
If an employee comes to work while sick, they can spread the disease to their coworkers, which in turn can lead to increased absenteeism and decreased productivity.
Low morale and burnout
It can also affect employee morale and lead to burnout, which can result in decreased job satisfaction and increased turnover.
Negative effect on work culture
It can create a toxic work culture in which presence at work is valued over the well-being of employees. This can cause employees to feel pressured to show up to work even when they are not feeling well, which can further perpetuate the problem.
According to a study carried out by the International Social Security Association (ISSA), labor presenteeism in Latin America represents a loss of productivity of 2% to 8% of GDP in the region and the consultancy Willis Towers Watson, 53% of employees in Mexico, he attended work despite suffering from health problems, which indicates its prevalence in the country.
According to AON’s Global Index of Absenteeism and Presenteeism, in 2019, Mexico ranked first in Latin America with this problem, with an index of 3.3%. This suggests that it is a significant problem in the country.
The negative impact on productivity and how to avoid it
To reduce it and improve employee productivity and well-being, companies can adopt various strategies and policies. Some of these measures include:
Foster a healthy work culture
Promote a work environment where the health and well-being of employees is valued.
Labor flexibility
Offer flexible work options, such as flextime and remote work, to allow employees to better balance work and personal responsibilities and reduce stress.
Implement vacation and leave policies
Establish clear and fair vacation and leave policies to ensure employees feel comfortable taking time off when they need it. Also, make sure that employees are aware of and understand these policies.
Wellness and health programs
Implement workplace health and wellness programs that address issues such as stress, physical activity, nutrition, and emotional support. This may include workshops, talks, sports activities or access to emotional support services.
Training and awareness
Provide training to leaders and managers on how to identify and address presenteeism at work. Help employees understand the negative consequences of presenteeism for them and the organization.
Performance evaluation
Instead of focusing on the number of hours worked, evaluate employees based on their performance, quality of work, and results. This can help discourage presenteeism by focusing on efficiency rather than physical presence with the help of technology platforms and KPIs.
open communication
Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns and needs with leaders and managers. Listen and actively address issues that may contribute to presenteeism.
Work-Life Balance: Encourage employees to establish a healthy work-life balance and provide support to achieve it.
By implementing these measures, companies can reduce the problem and improve the well-being and productivity of their employees. In addition, these practices can contribute to a more positive work culture and, ultimately, to the success of the organization.
Tools to reduce labor presenteeism
Likewise, there are technological tools that can play an important role in reducing presenteeism at work, facilitating a more flexible work environment and improving communication and collaboration between employees. Some are the following:
Communication and collaboration
Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace allow employees to communicate and collaborate in real time, regardless of their location. And they can make it easier to work remotely or from home, which in turn can reduce presenteeism at work.
video conferencing software
Tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams offer video conferencing features that allow employees to participate in meetings and collaborate on projects without being physically present in the office.
Project management and time tracking
Apps like Trello, Asana, and Monday.com help organize and manage projects, allowing employees and managers to monitor progress and workload. These tools can help identify attendance issues and allow managers to proactively address them.
Planning and scheduling tools
Software like Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, and Doodle allow employees to schedule meetings, manage their schedules, and plan their days more efficiently, which can help balance work and personal responsibilities.
Remote personnel management software
Platforms like FiscoClic that provide personnel management technology to collaborate on administrative, operational, payroll, or legal issues (through the use of digital signatures) so that company-employee processes can be managed remotely, even by WhatsApp.
Online learning platforms
For example, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Platzi, or Udemy offer online training and educational resources that can help employees gain skills to manage stress, improve their well-being, and increase their productivity at work.
Mental health and wellness apps
Apps like Headspace, Calm, Betterfly or MyPossibleSelf offer resources and exercises for mindfulness, meditation and stress management that can help employees improve their mental well-being.
By adopting these tools and technologies, companies can foster a more flexible and healthy work environment that helps reduce presenteeism and increase employee satisfaction and productivity.
To address presenteeism, companies can implement policies and practices that promote employee well-being, such as offering flexible work options, promoting a healthy work-life balance, and fostering a work environment where health and fitness are valued. employee welfare. By addressing it, companies can improve the productivity and satisfaction of their employees.
Raul Santillan Spain Graduated in Marketing from the Intercontinental University (UIC). He is currently the Founder and CEO of the startup FiscoClic, he is the host of the Talent Growth podcast, which looks for success stories about the growth of companies based on talent.