Many of us are taught at an early age that we should show up early to any engagement we may have and be present in anything we do. Some are even awarded for their punctuality and perfect attendance. As one enters the corporate world, workers are expected to abide by this practice because it will be proof of one’s commitment to their career. If we are even absent for one day, it may be perceived as a sign that we are not committed and underperforming in our duties.
While this perception has been going on for years, it is clear for many that even though one is “present” in their position, it doesn’t mean they are happy with their work or will produce expected results.
It can be hard to measure whether presenteeism affects a workplace, but sure signs can tell you if it is becoming a problem. Here are some of these signs you can look for:
Low Productivity
One notable sign of presenteeism is your team’s bouts of lost productivity. Some of them would come to work even if they were sick or exhausted because they did not want to incur salary deductions. However, ill and tired employees have a higher risk of making mistakes at work, which can cause misunderstandings and additional work for others.
Prolonged Spread Of Illness
When you are sick, you should not force yourself to go to work and wait for it to go away. However, if presenteeism is present at the workplace, you will notice that it is not uncommon to hear your colleagues getting sick suddenly, which is usually the same illness. Because of these illnesses, productivity is affected, and your team often misses deadlines.
Low Morale
Presenteeism also causes people to lose their morale to work slowly. If employees are sick or don’t feel like working, it affects their mood and makes it difficult for them to interact with others. Low morale will also make it hard for people to get into a productive state; when others see it, they may also lose their enthusiasm to work well.
Undermined Inclusion
Presenteeism becomes a problem in the workplace if you see people continuing to work when it is clear they need time to take an off day because of their family or health situation. Employees would be reluctant to take a leave because they worried about its ramifications on their salary and career.
When you see these signs of presenteeism in your workplace, it is best to immediately sit down with the team and develop an environment that will focus on what employees need. As their team leader or employer, you must pay attention to your team because their well-being is essential for your company’s success. The impacts of your solution will not be immediate, but if you address it slowly, your employees will notice it.
For a more inclusive working environment, you can try some of these ideas here: How To Make Your Office Space More Neurodiverse Great Tips to Engage Gen Z Colleagues at Your Company 10 Ways to Encourage Knowledge Sharing Across Your Organisation
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