The negative impact of sickness absence on employers is often reported in the press, but according to a report released in April 2010 by The Work Foundation, an equally problematic but lesser recognised danger lurks; ‘sickness presence’ – employees coming into work even though they are too unwell to carry out their duties.
 
The report argues that employers are not aware of the potential problems caused by ill employees coming in to work, which could account for 1.5 times more working time lost than the cost of sickness absence, which has been estimated at around £13bn per year.
 
The report was commissioned by AXA PPP healthcare and is based on interviews and surveys with AXA’s own employees. Of the employees questioned, 45% stated that they had attended work on at least one day when feeling unwell, with 18% reporting that they had recorded at least one day of absence over the four week period of the study. The report indicates that those employees who had recorded at least one absence through ill health were also more likely to work when ill.
 
Whereas sickness absence does not significantly impact upon an employee’s performance, the report did find that employees who attend work despite being ill, are more likely to receive a lower performance rating from their superiors. Furthermore, they are more likely to record lower levels of psychological well-being, higher levels of work related stress and higher levels of perceived pressure from managers and colleagues to work when unwell.
 
Taking steps to manage the causes behind sickness presenteeism can improve employee wellbeing and therefore can result in a reduction of both sickness presence and sickness absence.”

Oval Healthcare can offer advice and guidance on issues surrounding employee sickness.

For more information, please contact Dieter Clausnitzer on
01484 411 115 or email dieter.clausnitzer@theovalgroup.com