“To work, or not to work, that is the question” – Recent trends and avenues for research on presenteeism

Cooperation in Return-to-work Interventions for Common Mental Disorders: An Ideal Theory Analysis of Actors, Goals, and Ethical Obstacles

The rise in the number of people on sick leave for common mental disorders is a growing concern, both from a societal and individual perspective. One common suggestion to improve the return-to-work process is increased cooperation between the relevant parties, including at least the employer, the social insurance agency and health care. This suggestion is often made on the presumption that all parties share the common goal of reintegrating the patient-employee back into the workplace. In this paper we investigate this presumption by mapping out the ethical frameworks of these three key actors in any return-to-work process. We show that although the goals of these actors often, and to a large extent, overlap there are potential differences and tensions between their respective goals. Further, we emphasise that there may be other limitations to an actor's participation in the process. In particular the health care system is required to respect patient autonomy and confidentiality. There is also an inherent tension in the dual roles of health care professionals as therapists and expert witnesses in work ability assessment. In conclusion, there are potential tensions between the key actors in the return-to-work process. These tensions need to be addressed in order to enable an increased cooperation between actors and to facilitate the development of a feasible plan of action for all parties, including the employee.

Predictive modeling of presenteeism among radiographers: a secondary analysis of comprehensive data using Bayesian neural network

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials Registry - India identifier: CTRI/2021/09/036992.

Sickness presenteeism, job burnout, social support and health-related productivity loss among nurses in the Chinese nurses' health cohort study (TARGET): A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Sickness presenteeism has potential negative impacts on job burnout and health-related productivity loss among clinical nurses, whereas social support has been identified as a potential mitigating factor for such impacts. However, there is limited evidence regarding the relationships and mechanisms between sickness presenteeism, job burnout, social support, and health-related productivity loss.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of job burnout and social support in the association between sickness presenteeism and health-related productivity loss among female nurses.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING(S)

105 hospitals conveniently selected from 36 cities in 15 provinces in China.

PARTICIPANTS

50,653 registered female nurses.

METHODS

This study utilizes the cross-sectional data from the baseline survey of the Chinese nurses' health cohort study (Towards A Revolution in GETting nurses' health ticked, TARGET), conducted from December 2020 to February 2024. Variables were measured using the Sickness Presenteeism Questionnaire, Stanford Presenteeism Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Perceived Social Support Scale. Data analyses were performed using independent sample t-tests, Pearson correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance, multivariate linear regression analysis, and the Process 4.0 macro plug-in method.

RESULTS

A total of 42,843 valid questionnaires were collected with an 85% response rate. The incidence of sickness presenteeism among female nurses was 62 %. Sickness presenteeism was positively correlated with job burnout and health-related productivity loss, and job burnout was also positively correlated with health-related productivity loss. Conversely, social support was negatively associated with sickness presenteeism, job burnout and health-related productivity loss. The findings showed that the association between sickness presenteeism and health-related productivity loss was partially mediated by job burnout. Moreover, the direct and indirect effects within the mediation model were moderated by social support. When levels of social support were high, the impact of sickness presenteeism on job burnout and health-related productivity loss was weaker, as was the impact of job burnout on health-related productivity loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital administrators and nurses themselves can mitigate the adverse effects of sickness presenteeism on health-related productivity loss by alleviating job burnout and increasing levels of social support. By addressing these significant challenges, they can more effectively manage the consequences of sickness presenteeism and job burnout among nurses.

REGISTRATION

The protocol of TARGET was registered in the China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100043202).

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

The study analyses TARGET data to explore the mechanisms between sickness presenteeism and health-related productivity loss.

Using Rasch analysis to assess the latent construct of the Capacity to Work Index in a Swedish working population sample

Measurements of capacity to work (CTW) in relation to common mental disorders (CMD) are needed to improve research on determinants for maintained work participation (WP). The aim of this study was to assess the construct validity of the Capacity to Work Index (C2WI) in a heterogenous sample of the Swedish working population. Cross-sectional web survey data among Swedish employees (n = 8201) was used. The construct validity was assessed in terms of the unidimensionality of the scale, response categories appropriateness, and the differential item functioning with respect to gender and age. Rasch analysis was used in both the full sample and randomly selected subsets. The Rasch model (RM) was fitted using two versions of the C2WI construct: the original 17-item scale and a 7-item scale. The 17-item scale did not discriminate as required, whereas the 7-item scale demonstrated a better fit to the RM. However, statistically significant χ2 statistics indicated non-invariant item performance across the latent continuum. A third attempt assessed both scales on a subgroup, yielding improved results, but an overall fit to the RM was not achieved. CTW in relation to CMD assessed by the C2WI did not fulfil the requirements for construct validity outlined by the RM. Real-world experiences of CTW are complex and reflect expressions of mental health in diverse work environments. Further studies are required to determine the predictive capacity of C2WI and its individual items in relation to relevant outcomes, such as maintained WP in the working population.

A Preliminary Qualitative Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Presenteeism Among Taiwanese Nursing Staff

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of presenteeism among Taiwanese nursing staffs.

BACKGROUND

Presenteeism is a subjective and multifaceted experience, but nurses have rarely been invited to provide their own views of presenteeism.

METHODS

A qualitative study based on content analysis was conducted. Fifteen participants were recruited. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative method.

RESULTS

Four key categories and their subcategories were identified: 1) burden of being forced to attend work; 2) physical or mental discomfort; 3) predisposing factors; and 4) binding duty.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study provides guidance for administrators to establish a healthy workplace and maintain quality patient care. Managers should understand the predisposing factors that lead to absenteeism, such as insufficient staffing, and propose effective measures. This study contributes to the development of research and measurement tools, adds preliminary data, and explores nursing staff presenteeism.

Explaining presenteeism behaviour with the theory of planned behaviour - a longitudinal study

PURPOSE

This study uses the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to explore presenteeism, where individuals work despite being ill. The research seeks to understand how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control are associated with presenteeism behaviours.

METHODS

A longitudinal design was employed, involving 2814 employees from 16 companies. Data were collected using a survey on two measurement points, which included validated scales and vignettes to assess attitudes toward presenteeism. The data were analysed using cluster analysis and a linear mixed effects regression to evaluate the TPB model.

RESULTS

Three clusters of attitudes toward presenteeism were identified through cluster analysis. The model explained 27.8% of the variance in the fixed effects and 52.6% in the combined fixed and random effects. The regression model found associations between presenteeism and factors such as quantitative demands, work-privacy conflict, and leadership culture. Attitudes towards presenteeism were a strong predictor, with specific clusters showing differing propensities to work while ill.

CONCLUSION

The study confirms the suitability of the TPB in explaining presenteeism. It highlights the importance of individual attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control in shaping presenteeism. The findings suggest that promoting a health-supportive workplace culture, including open communication about illness, might reduce presenteeism.

The effect of nurses' perceived workplace incivility on their presenteeism and turnover intention: The mediating role of work stress and psychological resilience

AIM

This study aims to determine the effects of nurses' perceived workplace incivility on nurses' presenteeism and turnover intention and to reveal the mediating role of work stress and psychological resilience in the possible impact.

BACKGROUND

Nurses directly contribute to the treatment of patients. The problems nurses encounter in the workplace can negatively affect nurses' attitudes towards work. Therefore, the problems faced by nurses should be determined.

METHODS

This study complies with the STROBE checklist. This cross-sectional survey was conducted with 302 nurses working in a university hospital in the Konya province of Turkey. Data were collected in May-July 2021. The questionnaire consisted of six parts: sociodemographic characteristics form, workplace incivility scale, psychological resilience scale, work stress scale, turnover intention scale and presenteeism scale. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods and partial least-squares path analysis.

RESULTS

It was determined that workplace incivility positively and significantly affected turnover intention, presenteeism and work stress. In contrast, it negatively and significantly affected psychological resilience. In addition, psychological resilience played a mediating role in the effect of workplace incivility on presenteeism.

CONCLUSION

The results reveal that the behaviours of incivility encountered by nurses in the workplace increase their presenteeism and turnover intention, and work stress further strengthens these effects. The psychological resilience of nurses is a factor that can help them eliminate their negative emotions and attitudes. Therefore, it is recommended that nursing and health managers first identify the stress factors in the workplace and be determined to fight them. In addition, organizing training and providing psychological support to increase nurses' psychological resilience may enable nurses to develop more positive feelings about their jobs and workplaces.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Nursing and health managers must determine workplace incivility behaviours and inform all employees about these behaviours, their consequences and how to deal with such incivility. In addition, nursing and health managers must determine the stress factors in the workplace and be adamant about combating these factors. In addition, nursing and health managers must give importance to training that will increase the psychological resilience of nurses.

Translation and Psychometric Testing of the Hägerbäumer Presenteeism Scale in English

PURPOSE

Interest in presenteeism has increased in research. Presenteeism is a behaviour of going to work despite illness. It has been predominantly measured using single items, which introduce limitations to validity. To overcome these limitations, Hägerbäumer developed a German multi-item presenteeism scale.

METHODS

The aim of the study was to provide an English translation and psychometric testing of the scale. This was conducted in two phases with native English-speaking employed adults. Phase 1 includes translation and cognitive debriefing, phase 2 testing construct validity and internal consistency reliability.

RESULTS

Cognitive debriefing with 10 employees revealed no problems with understanding or answering the translated items. In total, 487 employed adults participated in the study, of which data from 287 were included in the analysis. For structural validity, the goodness-of-fit indicators all reached their thresholds (TLI = 0.98, CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.02). The scale does not show differences between sexes and age groups but between sectors (F6,70.95 = 5.53, p < 0.001). The internal consistency reliability was satisfactory with α = 0.89 (CI 95%, 0.87-0.91).

CONCLUSION

The translated multidimensional scale for measuring presenteeism at the behavioural level demonstrated good psychometric properties in an initial validation. Further psychometric testing is required before using this scale in cross-national comparison in research and international companies.

Presenteeism among nurses: An integrative review

Background

Presenteeism, a phenomenon in which employees attend work despite physical or mental limitations, is prevalent among nurses and has negative implications for patients, healthcare organizations, and nurses themselves.

Objective

We aimed to present the current state of knowledge on presenteeism in nursing, focusing on prevalence rates, reasons, influencing factors, and consequences.

Design

We performed an integrative review.

Methods

We searched databases for studies on presenteeism in the nursing workforce published between 2018 and 2024. This review included 44 studies that met the inclusion criteria, specifically 38 quantitative studies, 4 qualitative studies, and 2 reviews.

Results

The results indicated that the prevalence of nurses exhibiting symptoms of presenteeism varies between 32 % and 94 %. The influencing factors include workload, team culture, age, childcare responsibilities, job insecurity, and leadership practices. Presenteeism can lead to significant individual and organizational consequences such as increased health issues among nurses, decreased quality of patient care, and higher healthcare costs. Most studies were focused on nurses who work in hospitals, with only one study addressing nurses who work in nursing homes.

Conclusion

This review highlights the high prevalence of presenteeism among nurses and its multifaceted causes and effects. This underscores the need for increased awareness and training of both nurses and management teams regarding the importance of addressing presenteeism. Further research is needed in settings such as nursing homes and outpatient care to understand the unique challenges and impacts in these environments. Efforts should focus on improving working conditions, fostering supportive organizational cultures, and implementing effective leadership practices to mitigate the negative effects of presenteeism.

A third indeterminacy of labour power: Worker health investment and the indeterminacy of labour health

This article identifies the health of the worker as a third source of labour power indeterminacy to be added to the indeterminacy of labour effort and the indeterminacy of labour mobility. The paper clearly differentiates worker health from effort as a distinct source of labour power indeterminacy-something that cannot be guaranteed and that varies for an individual over time. It considers the relationship between worker health as a new source of indeterminacy and the two extant sources of labour power indeterminacy, focussing on the way in which health moderates the relationship between effort and output. The paper also considers the way in which worker health investment moderates the indeterminacy of labour effort and labour mobility, independently of its impact on the health of the worker. The paper documents the potential value of worker health investment to the organisation and also considers the boundary conditions for investment in worker health.

How Shift Nurses' Presenteeism is Related to Insomnia and Care Left Undone: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Generalised Structural Equation Modelling

AIM

To examine the association between nurses' insomnia, presenteeism and care left undone and explore the mediating effect of presenteeism on the relationship between insomnia and care left undone among nurses in acute care hospitals, applying a dynamic model of presenteeism and absenteeism.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional design.

METHODS

A secondary data analysis was conducted using online survey data collected in January 2023. Participants were 1154 registered nurses who provided direct nursing care to patients in tertiary or general hospitals (hospitals with 300 or more beds) in South Korea. Poisson regression analysis was used to examine the association between nurses' insomnia, presenteeism and care left undone. Generalised structural equation modelling was performed to examine the mediating effect of presenteeism on the relationship between insomnia and care left undone.

RESULTS

The prevalence of insomnia was 15.3%. More than half of the participants (63.7%) reported experiencing presenteeism in the past 4 weeks. All reported at least one nursing care left undone during their last shift. Insomnia and presenteeism were positively associated with care left undone, and presenteeism mediated the relationship between insomnia and care left undone among nurses in acute care hospitals.

CONCLUSION

Nurses experienced insomnia and presenteeism, related to higher rates of care left undone. Nurses' insomnia had a direct effect on care left undone and an indirect effect through presenteeism.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION

Nurse managers and administrators need to make greater efforts to reduce insomnia and presenteeism among nurses, thereby reducing care left undone and improving patient safety in acute care settings.

IMPACT

Nurse managers and administrators should consider proactive interventions to address nurses' insomnia and foster a workplace with healthy systems and culture to reduce sleep disturbance and presenteeism, which can effectively decrease care left undone.

REPORTING METHOD

STROBE guidelines.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Factors of presenteeism and its association with detrimental effects among employees in Switzerland working in different sectors - a cross-sectional study using a multi-item instrument

PURPOSE

Presenteeism, the phenomenon of employees working despite illness, is a significant issue globally, impacting individual well-being and organizational efficiency. This study examines presenteeism among Swiss employees, exploring its occurrence, primary factors, reasons, and impact on employees' health.

METHODS

This study used cross-sectional data from 1,521 employees in different sectors in Switzerland. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear models for influencing factors and detrimental effects, such as burnout symptoms, job satisfaction, general health, and quality of life, were calculated for data analysis. Presenteeism was measured using the Hägerbäumer multi-item scale, ranging from 1 = "Never in case of illness" - 5 = "Very often in case of illness."

RESULTS

The employees reported that in case of illness, they rarely worked in the last 12 months M = 2.04 (SD = 1.00). A positive approach to presenteeism in the team was associated with less presenteeism (β = -0.07) and problematic leadership culture in dealing with presenteeism with increased presenteeism (β = 0.10). In addition to well-known factors, presenteeism was significant for burnout symptoms (β = 1.49), general health status (β = -1.5), and quality of life (β = -0.01).

CONCLUSION

The study offers insights into the phenomenon of presenteeism among Swiss employees in various sectors by applying a multi-item scale for presenteeism. The findings indicate that a positive team dynamic and organizational culture may significantly reduce presenteeism. Presenteeism behavior is a significant factor of adverse outcomes. This highlights the importance of acknowledging presenteeism in the context of occupational health.

Managing Virtual Presenteeism during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multilevel Study on Managers' Stress Management Competencies to Foster Functional Presenteeism

Teleworking remains an attractive option for many workers since the COVID-19 pandemic, but it presents significant management challenges, particularly when employees face health issues. The management of virtual presenteeism, where employees continue teleworking despite being ill, has received limited attention. This study explores the relationship between managers' stress management competencies (SMCs), mental health, and job performance of virtual presentees, aiming to fostering more functional presenteeism. We examine whether managers' SMCs promote functional presenteeism by comparing managers' self-assessments with employee assessments, and analyzing how agreement levels between the two affect mental health and job performance. Data were collected from 365 teleworkers supervised by 157 managers in a large public organization in Québec. The results indicate that virtual presentees' mental health and job performance are closely linked to employees' assessment of their managers' SMCs. Employees who agreed with their manager or overestimated their managers' SMCs exhibited better mental health and job performance than those who agreed with their manager on low SMCs or underestimated their managers. This study expands on the health-performance framework of presenteeism and self-other agreements, highlighting management practices that should be enhanced in the context of virtual presenteeism.

Association between sickness presenteeism and depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional study using the 6th Korean working conditions survey

PURPOSE

This study aimed to reveal the relationship of the days of experiencing sickness presentism and depressive symptoms among Korean workers. Sickness presenteeism which defined as the act of going to work despite being feeling unhealthy triggers various adverse effects on mental health, including increased risks of depression. Furthermore, Sickness presenteeism is a major social issue causing substantial socioeconomic costs.

METHODS

The data of 25120 participants from sixth Korean Working Condition Survey was utilized in this cross-sectional study. Sickness presenteeism was defined using a self-reported questionnaire and depressive symptoms were assessed by WHO well-being index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to calculate the odd ratios for depressive symptoms regarding the number of days experiencing sickness presenteeism. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for depressive symptoms after categorizing participants into three groups based on the duration of experiencing sickness presenteeism, using cut-off values of 3 and 5 days.

RESULTS

Workers who have experienced sickness presenteeism for more than 5 days were at highest risk for depressive symptoms than referent group (OR 2.87; 95% CI 2.17-3.76 in male, OR 3.86; 95% CI 3.02-4.91 in female). Furthermore, there was a trend of increasing risk for depressive symptom as the duration of experiencing sickness presenteeism extended.

CONCLUSION

This study presents the association between experiencing sickness presenteeism in the previous 12 months and depressive symptoms. Based on the results, we provide individual and organizational strategies of reducing sickness presenteeism. Also, screening for workers who have experienced sickness presenteeism are needed to ensure good mental health.

Exploring presenteeism trends: a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis

Objective

This research will conduct a bibliometric and content analysis of presenteeism from 2000 to 2023. It aims to investigate publication trends, authorship patterns, and significant publications by using presenteeism conceptualizations, measurements, determinants, consequences, and interventions analysis. The study provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers about understanding and addressing workplace presenteeism issues.

Methods

The research involved conducting a bibliometric study to analyze presenteeism publication trends, authorship patterns, and significant publications. It also explored the evolution of presenteeism research over time, identifying contributing countries, institutions, and writers. The interdisciplinary nature of presenteeism research was emphasized, covering occupational health, psychology, management, and public health. The researchers have used VOS Viewer and R Studio (biblioshiny) for this study.

Results

The study identified several elements influencing presenteeism, such as health issues, work-related factors, organizational culture, and individual characteristics. It further examined the impact of organizational policies, leadership support, employee assistance programs, and health promotion activities in reducing absenteeism and enhancing employee well-being. These findings highlight the importance of addressing these factors to mitigate presenteeism issues and promote a healthier work environment.

Conclusion

This research identified deficiencies in presenteeism research and provided recommendations for future investigations in this field. It emphasized the need for standardized measures and methodologies, longitudinal studies to understand causality, and industry- and population-specific interventions. These insights can guide future research directions and interventions to address presenteeism issues in a rapidly changing work and research landscape.

The dark side of mobile work during non-work hours: moderated mediation model of presenteeism through conservation of resources lens

Owing to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the inevitability of telecommuting in the COVID-19 environment, the boundary between working and non-working hours has become blurred. mWork, that is, ICT-based off-hour work, which has increased through the pandemic, affects employees' work attitudes, such as presenteeism. Hence, we designed a study to investigate the antecedents and mechanisms of employee presenteeism from the perspective of the conservation of resources theory. We supported our hypothesis using a sample of 325 Korean office workers obtained through three rounds of time-delay surveys. The results show that presenteeism is higher among employees with high mWork. In addition, employees' mWork increases sleep deprivation and presenteeism, and the exchange ideology of employees reinforces the positive effect of sleep deprivation on presenteeism. Additionally, the higher the level of exchange ideology, the stronger the mediating effect of mWork on presenteeism through sleep deprivation. This study verified the conservation of resources theory by identifying the mechanism by which mWork affects an employee's life, which in turn affects their work, and provides practical implications for managing productivity loss due to presenteeism.

Do worksite health promotion programs (WHPP) influence presenteeism among employees? A systematic review1

BACKGROUND

Worksite health promotion programs (WHPP) aiming to reduce presenteeism are rapidly increasing. However, program-efficacy seems impaired by lack of conceptual understanding and theoretical frameworks related to presenteeism.

OBJECTIVES

To study (1) the concept of presenteeism, (2) the causes of the phenomenon and (3) which WHPP affect presenteeism.

METHODS

We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for mapping relevant literature in seven databases. The main search-terms were "worksite", "WHPP", "presenteeism", "employee productivity" and "interventions". Reviews and review of reviews were included and analysed according to research questions and ecological theory.

RESULTS

Of 2196 studies identified, 14 reviews were included, comprising 1390 single studies. Conceptually, presenteeism was poorly defined, mostly related to productivity/performance limitations due to ill health. Factors causing presenteeism addressed individual health or lifestyle (78%), and, to a lesser extent work and organisational factors (management/job stress) (22%). Forty-five highly diverse WHPP were identified, about 90% focusing health outcomes. 22/45 WHPP affected presenteeism/productivity positively. Multi-component WHPP implemented at multi levels accounted for 55%. Single-component programs, implemented at individual level, were mostly targeting health-risk subgroups. No specific WHPP seems preferable. Methodological quality seems highly associated with worksite intervention-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Increased telework opportunities due to COVID-19 experiences has affected working conditions worldwide, for better and worse, requiring adaptions at employee, management, organisational and socio-cultural levels. Our results showed high program diversity, several adaptable to future needs (e.g., digital solutions), however hampered by narrow focus on individual health. Future research should focus on theory-based high quality multilevel WHPP comprising contextual, work, and organisational factors.

The mediating role of psychological safety on humble leadership and presenteeism in Japanese organizations1

BACKGROUND

Presenteeism-induced productivity loss is a global concern. This issue is equally serious in Japan. As a "super-aged society," maintaining and promoting Japanese employees' health is an urgent issue. The combination of these factors makes it imperative to identify the factors that affect presenteeism and clarify the mechanisms driving these factors in Japanese organizations.

OBJECTIVE

Only a few extant studies address presenteeism as a performance variable. Presenteeism can create serious productivity losses in Japan, as it is a "super-aged society." Hence, this study aims to clarify the relationships between humble leadership, psychological safety, and presenteeism in Japanese organizations.

METHODS

We hypothesized that psychological safety mediated the effect of humble leadership on presenteeism. The data of 462 employees from 11 companies were analyzed.

RESULTS

The results supported our hypothesis. Additionally, leader humility, as perceived by the followers, was positively correlated with leaders' own psychological safety in their teams.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings contribute to the existing literature by highlighting the roles of humble leadership and psychological safety in health and productivity management while accounting for cultural influences. The practical implications of our findings and future directions are also discussed.

Working Anytime and Anywhere -Even When Feeling Ill? A Cross-sectional Study on Presenteeism in Remote Work

Background

Working despite feeling ill - presenteeism - is a widespread behavioral phenomenon. Previous research has shown that presenteeism is influenced by various work-related and personal factors. It's an illness behavior leading to a range of negative but also positive consequences. Due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, remote work has become the "new normal" for many employees. But so far, little is known about presenteeism in remote work. This study aims to investigate presenteeism in remote work by looking at the extent of remote presenteeism, differences to presenteeism in on-site work, and associated factors.

Methods

A nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Germany with N = 233 participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and correlation analysis.

Results

The results reveal that presenteeism is prevalent in remote work x̅ = 4.13 days (Md = 3; D = 2; s = 4.95). A low ability to detach from work (r = -.17; p = .005) and low supervisor support (r = -.14; p = .02) is associated with more remote presenteeism days. Remote working conditions seem to facilitate presenteeism.

Conclusion

This study provides empirical insights into a subject area of great societal relevance. The results show that awareness should be raised for presenteeism in remote work. It should be regarded as a behavior that can be functional or dysfunctional, depending on the individual situation. Supervisor support and detachment should be fostered to help reduce dysfunctional presenteeism. Promotion of health literacy might help remote workers to decide on a health-oriented illness behavior. Further research is vital to analyze to what extent and under which circumstances presenteeism in remote work is (dys)functional and to derive clear recommendations.

Investigating Associations Between Physical Activity and Presenteeism - A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to scope the literature on what is currently known between physical activity and presenteeism.

DATA SOURCE

A search strategy was conducting in six scientific databases.

STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies written in English about the relation between physical activity and presenteeism were considered for inclusion.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data on definitions and measurement of presenteeism and physical activity were extracted.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The data is categorized according to the understanding of presenteeism of the studies to give a better idea of how this phenomenon is studied in relation to physical activity.

RESULTS

After screening 9773 titles and abstracts and 269 full-text articles, 57 unique articles fulfilled our eligibility criteria. The majority of the articles were published since 2010 and originated predominantly in the United States. Most studies (70%) define presenteeism as lost productivity due to health problems, according to the American line of research, whereas 19% of the studies define it as "working while ill" which refers to the European line of research. The studies that reflected the American school of thought tends to report more results that supported their hypothesis (i.e., that more physical activity is associated with less presenteeism).

CONCLUSION

This review has highlighted the homogeneity in how presenteeism is conceptualized and measured in studies included in our sample. Research on physical activity and presenteeism should be expanded across various disciplines in social sciences to respond to the needs that many researchers have expressed to promote healthier organizations.

Re-visiting the six-item Stanford presenteeism scale (SPS-6) and its psychometric properties

Presenteeism has often been considered as the correlate of absenteeism and associated to productivity loss. This study sought to re-examine the psychometric properties of the 6-item Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6), a popular measure which has been translated in a number of languages. The study adopted a cross-sectional design with 268 participants aged 18 - 65 working in a multinational IT company with headquarters based in Poland. The respondents participated willingly in an online questionnaire on a presenteeism health-related productivity measure (SPS-6), job resources (peer support), job demands (work-to-family conflict), engagement and burnout. Their responses were subjected to statistical analyses. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed that the SPS-6 is better represented by two singular and independent components, namely completing work and avoiding distractions, rather than an aggregated measure of health-related productivity. In fact, the aggregated measure had convergent and discriminant validity issues. We also assessed, via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the explanatory role of the SPS-6 within the wider well-being discourse by subjecting its' factors as outcomes using the JD-R framework. Here, burnout was better at explaining its relationship to avoiding distractions and completing work compared to engagement, while avoiding distractions was more dominant than completing work in explaining indirect pathways. Given the convergent and discriminant validity of its two-dimensional measures, we argue that the SPS-6 is a better assessment of health-related productivity in the light of presenteeism when keeping both components separate rather than adding the scores from both dimensions to provide a global score as has been the practice so far. In addition, the SEM findings suggest that both SPS-6 components may require different theoretical explanations. This study supports a growing chorus of scholars who argue the need to look deeper into the presenteeism phenomenon, not least its measures.

Extent and predictors of presenteeism among healthcare professionals working in Swiss hospitals, nursing homes and home care organizations

Presenteeism can have negative impacts on employees' health and organizational productivity. It occurs more often among occupations with high attendance demands, such as healthcare professionals. Information is lacking regarding the extent to which presenteeism differs between disciplines and settings in the health sector and what the reasons are for presenteeism as well as influencing factors. This study used cross-sectional data on 15,185 healthcare professionals (nursing staff, midwives, physicians, medical-technical and medical-therapeutic professionals) from various settings (acute care, rehabilitation or psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes and home care organizations). Presenteeism was measured by examining how many days participants had gone to work despite feeling sick during the past 12 months. Kruskal-Wallis was used to test for significant differences between healthcare professions/settings and regression analysis to identify significant predictors of presenteeism. Nursing assistants with a formal education reported the most days of presenteeism in the past 12 months (mean = 4.3, SD = 12.0). Healthcare professionals working in nursing homes reported the most days of presenteeism in the past 12 months (mean = 4.2, SD = 8.7). The majority of healthcare professionals had been present at work while being ill due to a sense of duty (83.7%), followed by consideration for colleagues and/or managers (76.5%). In particular, the psychiatric hospitals (β = 0.139; p < 0.001), nursing homes (β = 0.168; p < 0.001) and home care organizations (β = 0.092; p < 0.001), as well as the language regions of Swiss French (β = - 0.304; p < 0.001) and Italian (β = - 0.154; p < 0.001), were significantly associated with presenteeism. Presenteeism differs between disciplines and settings in the health sector. The reasons for presenteeism and its influencing factors in the health sector are mostly consistent with those in other sectors. Cultural differences should be afforded greater relevance in future presenteeism research.

The Use of Robots in the Workplace: Conclusions from a Health Promoting Intervention Using Social Robots

Workplace wellness programs constitute a preventive measure to help avoid healthcare costs for companies, with additional benefits for employee productivity and other organizational outcomes. Interventions using social robots may have some advantages over other conventional telemedicine applications, since they can deliver personalized feedback and counseling. This investigation focused on a health-promoting intervention within work environments, and compared the efficacy of the intervention on two distinct groups, one guided by a human agent and the other by a robot agent. Participants (n = 56) were recruited from two Portuguese organizations and led through eight sessions by the social agent, the goal being to encourage health behavior change and adoption of a healthier lifestyle. The results indicate that the group led by the robot agent revealed better post-intervention scores than the group led by the human agent, specifically with regard to productivity despite presenteeism and regard of their level of mental well-being. No effects were found concerning the work engagement level of participants in either group. By demonstrating the potential of using social robots to establish therapeutic and worth relationships with employees in their workplaces, this study provides interesting new findings that contribute to the literature on health behavior change and human-robot interaction.

Know and use your personal strengths! A Spanish validation of the strengths knowledge and use scales and their relationship with meaningful work and work-related well-being

Introduction

Research in the field of work and organizational psychology increasingly highlights the role of meaningful work as a protector of well-being at work. This study tests the role of strengths knowledge and use as new pathways through which meaningful work may have a positive effect on work engagement and mental health.

Methods

Study 1 and Study 2 report the validation of the Spanish Strengths Use and Knowledge Scales respectively, with samples of N = 617 (Study 1) and N = 365 (Study 2) employees. Study 3 tests the mediating effects of strengths use and knowledge in a model with different work-related constructs in another sample of N = 798 employees.

Results

Findings from Studies 1 and 2 indicate that the instruments offer adequate evidence of reliability and validity. Results from Study 3 revealed that strengths knowledge is a mediator in the relationship between meaningful work and strengths use. Findings also confirmed the mediating roles of strengths use in the relationship between meaningful work and work engagement, and between meaningful work and mental health.

Discussion

This study highlights the ability to be aware of and apply signature strengths as effective and novel pathways to foster well-being at work through the cultivation of meaningful work.

Supporting Knowledge Workers’ Health and Well-Being in the Post-Lockdown Era

The specific problem is that knowledge workers experience high levels of stress and burnout in their professional lives, a trend that increased due to the transition to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This integrative literature review addresses this problem by answering the following research questions: (1) How can working in the post-lockdown era allow greater well-being, job satisfaction, and job security to abide?; and (2) How can mental capital be increased in the 21st century to ensure maximum health and positive well-being in the future employment arena and on a global scale? This review contributes to the literature on worker health and wellbeing, hybrid work arrangements, and knowledge workers’ professional experiences. The findings suggest that knowledge workers can only thrive in a hybrid work environment if organizations take an empathetic approach to manage these workers and give them sufficient autonomy and flexibility in determining their work conditions, in addition to ample opportunities for social interaction and professional advancement.

Presenteeism as a moral hazard problem: Implications for the human resource management

Information asymmetry about the employee's state of health means that workers may decide to work (or not) when they are sick, which turns presenteeism into a principal-agent relationship. From this new perspective, presenteeism can be explained by some distinct and original factors such as implicit incentives related to motivation and a sense of autonomy (empowerment, job usefulness, and recognition) and explicit incentives given by wages and other non-economic benefits (training and career prospects). In a sample of European workers using multilevel (by country) Tobit models, we find that short-term incentives and workers' empowerment increase presenteeism, while long-term incentives reduce it. As expected, supervision is ineffective in controlling presenteeism, while relationships based on trust have a positive impact. Finally, we propose several practices related to incentives, training, monitoring, occupational health and safety and job design specifically intended to manage presenteeism and its consequences in six areas of the human resources function.

Changes in sick leave utilization at an academic medical center during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic drastically changed work arrangements, but COVID-19's impact on employee leave utilization is unclear. The authors sought to understand how sick leave and vacation leave utilization changed during the pandemic among clinical and non-clinical departments at an academic medical center (AMC).

Design/methodology/approach

Clinical departments were defined as work units with a primary mission of providing direct patient care. Per-person, per-month leave utilization data were obtained from the AMC's time-keeping system for 3 clinical departments and 4 non-clinical departments in the first 12 months of the pandemic and the preceding 12 months. Monthly data for each department were analyzed with mixed-effects regression.

Findings

Available data represented 402 employees from 3 clinical departments and 73 employees from 4 non-clinical departments. The authors found no statistically significant change in sick leave utilization among either clinical or non-clinical departments. Vacation leave utilization decreased during the pandemic by 5.9 h per person per month in non-clinical departments (95% confidence interval [CI]: −8.1, −3.8; p < 0.001) and by 3.0 h per person per month in clinical departments (95% CI: −4.3, −1.7; p < 0.001).

Originality/value

Among employees in clinical departments, the authors found no increase in sick leave utilization and a decrease in vacation utilization. These findings are concerning for presenteeism, risk of burnout or understaffing resulting in workers' inability to take time away from work in clinical departments.

Escape or activate? Pathways of work stress on substance use

BACKGROUND

Research on the spillover effects of work stress on substance use have mainly focused on the concept of escapist substance.

OBJECTIVE

Building on the concept of self-endangering work behavior, we expand this stress-theoretic view with a presenteeism path of work-induced substance use. Contrary to emotion-based disengaging coping strategies associated with escapist use, we argue that high job demands may also promote problem-focused engagement coping, where substances are used for activation.

METHODS

A structural equation model was used to analyze both assumed pathways of stress-induced substance use with survey data from a random sample of n = 411 employees.

RESULTS

We confirmed that high job demands are directly related to escapist substance use, but indirectly related to activating substance use, mediated by presenteeism behavior. Both types of substance use are reduced in organizations with high psychosocial safety climate, but increase with higher competitive climate. Social support is related to reduced activating substance use. Males show a stronger tendency for the escapist path, whereas the presenteeism path is more prevalent in women.

CONCLUSION

Work stress may not only induce substance use as a disengaging emotional coping strategy, but also as an active problem-focused coping strategy, where employees engage in substance use to continue their efforts necessary for work-related goal attainment. A psychosocial safety climate may provide opportunities for intervening on the "cause of causes" of substance use. Moreover, due to the higher prevalence for activating substance use in female workers, previous research may have underestimated women's risks for work-induced substance use.

Physical activity in the workplace: a cost or a benefit for organizations? A systematic review

Purpose

Most adults do not follow the minimum requirements for physical activity despite the benefits such activity can provide toward improving quality of life. On average, an adult spends 60% of daily hours in the workplace, making it essential to create working environments that are favorable to avoiding harmful effects on the health of workers. Toward this end, the application of physical activity programs in a work context is one of the possible interventions. This study aims to carry out a systematic review of the literature to identify the impact of physical activity programs applied in the workplace, on employee wellness and organizational productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

The search for reports was carried out in two databases, namely, Thomson Reuters Web of Science and Scopus, according to several inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) was applied to ensure the quality of the study. Microsoft Excel 2016 was used to organize the database to support the data analysis.

Findings

The sample comprised 64 reports published in international journals between 1986 and 2019. From these studies, six thematic clusters were formed: Workplace Physical Activity Interventions, Workplace Wellness, Physical Activity and Organizational Performance, Barriers to Developing Physical Activity Programs in the Workplace, Physical Activity and Sedentary Occupations and Workplace Physical Activity Incentives. The analysis of these clusters confirmed that the implementation of physical activity programs in this context could represent beneficial effects for workers and the organizational system by contributing to a reduction in the rates of absenteeism and presenteeism. However, there are still many organizations that do not implement such programs.

Originality/value

The results of this study are essential for managers of organizations to be able to implement physical activity programs in a work context, similarly to the application of a strategy of corporate social responsibility in an intra-organizational environment. This research may also be useful for professionals in the areas of sports and physical exercise, who want to build their business around physical exercise programs applied to a work context.

Industry differences in psychological distress and distress-related productivity loss: A cross-sectional study of Australian workers

OBJECTIVE

This research uses Australian survey data to identify industries with high rates of psychological distress, and to estimate productivity impacts in the form of work loss and cutback days.

METHODS

Analyzing cross-sectional data from the 2017/2018 National Health Survey, industry prevalence of psychological distress (Kessler Screening Scale) was compared using ordered logistic regression. Productivity outcomes were distress-related work loss days and work cutback days in the previous 4 weeks. Losses were analyzed using zero-inflated negative binomial regression.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 9073 employed workers [4497 males (49.6%), 4576 females (50.4%)]. Compared to the reference industry, Health, the odds of very high distress for males were highest in Information media and telecommunications (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2-4.6) and Administrative and support services (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.2-5.0), while for females the odds were highest in Accommodation and food services (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.5-2.8) followed by Retail (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.0). Very high distress was associated excess productivity losses. Industry of occupation did not impact on productivity loss over and above distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial psychological distress was reported which impacted on productivity. High-risk industries included Information media and telecommunications, Accommodation and food services, and Retail.

Student Presenteeism in Digital Times-A Mixed Methods Approach

In young adulthood, important foundations are laid for health later in life. Hence, more attention should be paid to the health measures concerning students. A research field that is relevant to health but hitherto somewhat neglected in the student context is the phenomenon of presenteeism. Presenteeism refers to working despite illness and is associated with negative health and work-related effects. The study attempts to bridge the research gap regarding students and examines the effects of and reasons for this behavior. The consequences of digital learning on presenteeism behavior are moreover considered. A student survey (N = 1036) and qualitative interviews (N = 11) were conducted. The results of the quantitative study show significant negative relationships between presenteeism and health status, well-being, and ability to study. An increased experience of stress and a low level of detachment as characteristics of digital learning also show significant relationships with presenteeism. The qualitative interviews highlighted the aspect of not wanting to miss anything as the most important reason for presenteeism. The results provide useful insights for developing countermeasures to be easily integrated into university life, such as establishing fixed learning partners or the use of additional digital learning material.

Authoritarian leadership and nurse presenteeism: the role of workload and leader identification

BACKGROUND

Nurses' health in the workplace is crucial for ensuring the quality of healthcare. However, presenteeism, the behavior of working in a state of ill health, is widespread in the nursing industry. Considering that the origin of authoritarian leadership and the prevalence of presenteeism are inseparable from Chinese workplace culture, this study aimed to explore the impact and mechanism of authoritarian leadership on presenteeism.

METHODS

A total of 528 nurses were recruited from four grade III level A hospitals in the present survey, which was distributed across 98 nursing teams. Participants were required to complete self-report measures on authoritarian leadership, presenteeism, workload, and leader identification. Description, correlation, and multilevel linear regressions were applied for data analysis.

RESULTS

The present study found that presenteeism was significantly related to participants' demographic characteristics, such as marital status, educational level, technological title, and general health. There was a positive relationship between authoritarian leadership and presenteeism, and workload acted as a mediator in authoritarian leadership and presenteeism. Furthermore, leader identification moderated the relationship between authoritarian leadership and workload. When nurses were under high leader identification, the positive impact of authoritarian leadership on workload was reinforced.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the potential antecedents and mechanisms of nurse presenteeism from the perspective of workplace culture. Results indicated that the excessive authoritarianism of leaders and the heavy workload faced by nurses may be the significant triggers for nurses' presenteeism. The role of leader identification is not always protective, which may heighten the relationship between dark leadership and its outcomes. These observations contribute to enriching research on presenteeism and authoritarian leadership, and provide valuable insights for cultivating healthy working behaviors.

Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Health and Work Performance Questionnaire in German

BACKGROUND

Research interest in presenteeism as a productivity loss has grown given its estimated costs for organizations. To enable researchers in German-speaking countries to compare their findings internationally, a validated German Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) version is needed.

METHODS

First, the HPQ was translated from English into German, culturally adapted, and tested using cognitive debriefing in interviews. Second, the structural validity of the item measuring presenteeism as productivity loss was tested.

RESULTS

Overall, 14 problems with items were identified in the cognitive debriefing. Of these, 57% were comprehension problems. Two of three alternative hypotheses for discriminative validity were accepted. No discrimination was possible for individuals with or without chronic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The German HPQ has satisfactory cross-cultural validity and can be used to measure overall performance, as well as presenteeism in a specified sample with health problems.

Wie gefährden Beschäftigte ihre Gesundheit?

Zusammenfassung. Interessierte Selbstgefährdung sind Handlungsstrategien im Umgang mit Arbeitsbelastungen mit langfristig negativen Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit. In drei Studien wurden die Faktorstruktur eines Fragebogens zur Messung interessierter Selbstgefährdung untersucht, die Gültigkeit der Struktur konfirmatorisch gezeigt sowie weitere Aspekte von Konstrukt- und Kriteriumsvalidität bestätigt. Zehn Strategien interessierter Selbstgefährdung ließen sich einer extensivierenden und einer vermeidenden Verhaltenskonstellation zuordnen. Erwartungsgemäß zeigten sich moderate, differentielle Assoziationen zwischen der extensivierenden und vermeidenden Konstellation mit den konvergenten Konstrukten Arbeitsbezogenheit und Counterproductive Work Behavior. Die Kriteriumsvalidität der beiden Verhaltenskonstellationen zeigte sich anhand erwartungskonformer, differentieller Zusammenhänge zu gesundheitsbezogenen (Selbstwert, psychosomatischen Beschwerden und Erschöpfung) sowie zu arbeitsbezogenen Variablen (Mehrarbeit und dem gewünschten Renteneintrittsalter). Mögliche Anwendungen und theoretische Bezüge des Konstruktes werden vorgestellt und diskutiert.

The health-performance framework of presenteeism: A proof-of-concept study

There is emerging research that considers presenteeism as a neutral behavior that has both positive and negative predictors and outcomes for individuals and organizations. This neutral perspective diverges from the traditional negative view of presenteeism and is aligned with the Health-Performance Framework of Presenteeism (HFPF) in which presenteeism is considered to be an adaptive behavior that aims to balance health limitations and performance demands. This proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the existence of different profiles of presentees based on their common health problems (mental and physical) and performance, and differences in attendance and job stressors among these subgroups. Latent profile analysis with 159 clerical employees and managers from the UK private sector supported the HPFP and revealed four profiles: those reporting a good health and high performance were labeled functional presentees (who represented 19% of the sample), those with poor health and low performance were the dysfunctional presentees (14%), those with relatively high performance but poor health were labeled overachieving presentees (22%), and those with average scores on both dimensions were the average Joe/Jane presentees (45%; a new profile based on this sample). There was no profile in the present sample that corresponded to therapeutic presenteeism, characterized by low performance but relatively good health. Although average Joe/Jane presentees were comparable to functional presentees in exposure to most job stressors, they reported poorer pay and benefits, and more health problems than the latter. Average Joe/Jane presentees reported the lowest number of days of presenteeism. No difference was found in absenteeism across profiles, highlighting difficulties in measuring presenteeism using a count-measure, since three profiles presented a similar number of days of presenteeism yet contrasted health-performance configurations. Dysfunctional presentees were systematically more exposed to job stressors compared to functional presentees. The results support the HPFP proposition for different subgroups of presentees who are influenced by their work environment. The study takes a person-centered approach, disentangle presenteeism from the total count of presenteeism days, offering implications for management and intervention practice. Presenteeism can have a bright side and be functional in certain contexts when the appropriate resources are available.

How Psychosocial Safety Climate Helped Alleviate Work Intensification Effects on Presenteeism during the COVID-19 Crisis? A Moderated Mediation Model

Healthcare sector organizations have long been facing the issue of productivity loss due to presenteeism which is affected by psychosocial safety climate (PSC) and work intensification. Presenteeism has visibly increased among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic period. Grounded in COR theory and sensemaking theory, the current study aimed to examine the role PSC plays as driver or moderator to reduce presenteeism by lessening work intensification over time and the impact of work intensification over time on presenteeism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adopting a time-lagged research design, this study gathered data from randomly selected registered nurses, practicing in Québec, Canada in two phases, i.e., 800 at Time 1 and 344 at Time 2 through email surveys. The study results showed that (1) PSC reduces presenteeism over time by reducing work intensification at time 1; (2) PSC moderates the relationship between work intensification at time 1 and work intensification at time 2; and (3) PSC as moderator also lessens the detrimental effect of work intensification at time 2 on presenteeism at time 2. Presenteeism among nurses affects their health and psychological well-being. We find that PSC is likely an effective organizational tool particularly in crises situations, by providing an organizational mechanism to assist nurses cope (through a resource caravan, management support) with managing intensified work.

Consequences of Nurse Presenteeism in Switzerland and Portugal and Strategies to Minimize It: A Qualitative Study

Nurses exhibit higher rates of presenteeism than other professionals, with consequences for the quality of care and patient safety. However, nurses’ perceptions of these issues have been poorly explored. This study investigated the perceptions and experiences of frontline nurses and nurse managers in Switzerland and Portugal about the consequences of presenteeism and strategies to minimize it in different healthcare settings. Our qualitative study design used video focus groups involving 55 participants from both countries. Thematic analysis of their transcribed discussions revealed six themes surrounding the consequences of presenteeism: the personal impact on nurses’ health and wellbeing, on their family relationships, and on professional frustration and dissatisfaction; the professional impact on work dynamics; the social impact on the quality of care and patient safety and on society’s impressions of the profession. At the individual, collective, and institutional levels, six strategies were evoked to minimize presenteeism: encouraging professionals’ self-knowledge; creating a positive work atmosphere; facilitating communication channels; developing a positive organizational culture; implementing preventive/curative institutional interventions; identifying and documenting situations linked to presenteeism. Nurses’ perceptions and experiences provided a deeper understanding of their presenteeism and revealed underused pathways toward preventing and minimizing presenteeism via bottom-up approaches.

Sickness presenteeism explained by balancing perceived positive and negative effects

Within the ever-growing body of research on sickness presenteeism, studies of perceived consequences are scarce and equally rare are joint considerations of beneficial and harmful effects. This study examined how experienced and expected consequences of the behavior are related to presenteeism. Positive and negative effects were considered simultaneously and comprehensively. This approach allowed us to capture the trade-off process of individuals in deciding to work or call in sick when ill. In a cross-sectional online survey, 591 working adults in Germany rated a thoroughly developed pool of specific experienced or potential consequences of working while sick and gave an overall judgment of effects. The results show that perceptions of effects are consistent with behavior. Individuals who exhibit presenteeism do so primarily because of work-related effects such as the completion of one’s work tasks and the meeting of deadlines. Few specific effects stand out and can largely explain attendance behavior and the overall assessment of effects. The findings are consistent with the assumptions of the health belief model and the expectancy value theory of work motivation and they relate to the health-performance framework. They demonstrated that benefits and costs of the behavior are simultaneously weighed in the decision to engage in presenteeism or not.

Sickness Presenteeism among Employees Having Workplace Conflicts-Results from Pooled Analyses in Latvia

The study's objective was to investigate the associations between workplace conflicts and self-reported sickness presenteeism defined as going to work while being ill. Cross-sectional survey data pooled from four national surveys in years 2006, 2010, 2013 and 2018 with a study sample of 6368 employees (mean age 42.9 years and 52.9% females) were used. Respondents were randomly drawn from different regions and industries; therefore, the sample is representative of the working population of Latvia. The computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) method was used to collect data at respondents' places of residence. The associations between conflicts in the workplace and presenteeism were analyzed by using binomial logistic regression and calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted (aOR) for gender, age, education, and survey year. On average, 11% of respondents reported sickness presenteeism during the last year. The odds of presenteeism significantly increased for all types of workplace conflicts, but most for conflicts with managers (OR = 2.84). The odds of presenteeism doubled for those reporting conflicts with other employees (OR = 2.19) and conflicts with customers (OR = 1.85). The odds of sickness presenteeism were significantly higher if the workplace conflicts occurred often (seven times for conflicts between managers and employees, and four times for conflicts with customers) and with other employees. Presenteeism frequency increased more than three times if respondents had more than two types of conflict at work. The results of this study show that having any type of conflict in the workplace significantly increases the frequency of sickness presenteeism, especially when conflicts are frequent or an employee has more types of conflicts in the workplace. The study results justify the need to implement targeted and effective workplace conflict management measures at the organizational level to decrease sickness presenteeism.

Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace from the Perspective of Older Employees: A Mixed Methods Research Study

(1) Background: This mixed methods research (MMR) study explored older employees’ experiences of chronic musculoskeletal disorders (CMSDs) in relation to their employment, their perspectives on managing these conditions in the workplace and the strategies used to facilitate and maintain their roles and responsibilities. The services offered to them were also identified. (2) Methods: A mixed methods exploratory sequential design was implemented. In the first qualitative phase, 16 semi-structured interviews gathered in-depth information from older employees. The findings informed the development of an online questionnaire in the survey phase, which was administered to older employees (N = 107). Both sets of findings were then integrated using a narrative joint display. (3) Results: The phenomena of presenteeism and leaveism were important components of employees’ strategies for managing their condition. The integrated findings highlighted the roles of employers, managers and social support in encouraging disclosure and supporting the management of CMSDs. The results also emphasised how self-management and professional health services are crucial for sustaining employability. (4) Conclusions: Current challenges call for employers to identify effective ways to support the ageing workforce and invest in training opportunities for managers and collaborative opportunities with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. A flexible, empathetic and resourceful work environment is optimal for supporting sustained employability for an ageing workforce.

Presenteeism and absenteeism in the manufacturing sector: A multilevel approach identifying underlying factors and relations to health

Presenteeism is problematic since it relates to lower health and productivity. Prior research examined many work and attitudinal variables relating to presenteeism at the individual level. Here, we conceptualize presenteeism as multilevel phenomenon also shaped by the overall attendance behavior (absenteeism and presenteeism) at the work unit. We surveyed employees at a manufacturing plant on presenteeism, health-related lost productive time (HLPT) and absenteeism (N = 911, 22 units) and collected preceding (past 12-7 and 6 months) objective absence data aggregating it at unit level. Considering the individual-level antecedents only higher physical demands predicted higher absence duration. Presenteeism related positively to physical demands, a burdensome social environment, and organizational identification and negatively to ease of replacement, and core self-evaluations. These relationships were similar for HLPT as outcome. Regarding unit-level factors, preceding unit-level absence frequency (but not duration) negatively related to presenteeism. The negative relationship between core self-evaluations and individual presenteeism decreased under a stronger presenteeism context supporting the hypothesized cross-level effect of unit-level presenteeism context strength. Moreover, individual and unit-level presenteeism correlated, as expected, more strongly with health complaints than absenteeism. Our study demonstrates the value of a contextual, multilevel approach for understanding antecedents and consequences of attendance behavior.

Sickness Presenteeism in Prison Officers: Risk Factors and Implications for Wellbeing and Productivity

Sickness presenteeism involves employees continuing to work while unwell. As presenteeism is influenced by contextual and individual difference factors, it is important to assess its prevalence and implications for wellbeing and productivity in different occupational groups. This study examines these issues in a sample of prison officers working in UK institutions. Data were obtained from a survey of 1956 prison officers. Measures assessed the prevalence of and reasons for presenteeism and the perceived impact on job performance, along with mental health and perceptions of workplace safety climate. More than nine respondents out of ten (92%) reported working while unwell at least sometimes, with 43% reporting that they always did so. Presenteeism frequency was significantly related to mental health symptoms, impaired job performance and a poorer workplace safety climate. The reasons provided for presenteeism explained 31% of the variance in self-reported mental health, 34% in job performance and 17% in workplace safety climate, but the pattern of predictors varied according to the outcome. The findings can be used to inform interventions at the organisational and individual levels to encourage a ‘healthier’ approach to sickness absence, with likely benefits for staff wellbeing, job performance and workplace safety climate.

Home-Based Telework and Presenteeism: New Lessons Learned From the Covid-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

Previous research found increased sickness presenteeism (working despite sickness) associated with home-based telework. The Covid-19 pandemic offers new insights into mechanisms, as a large proportion of the workforce was forced to work from home, irrespective of organizational and individual predispositions.

METHODS

A path analysis based on survey data from a sample of teleworkers collected during the Covid-crisis was performed.

RESULTS

We found no general relationship between telework and sickness presenteeism. However, employees with telework experience before the pandemic use telework more often for work intensification which is associated with increased sickness presenteeism. As teleworking before the pandemic is associated with indirect work control (goal-directed management), indirect effects of such work organizations on presenteeism were confirmed.

CONCLUSION

As hypothesized in prior research, indirect work control may increase self-endangering behavior which is amplified by telework.

Sickness Presenteeism in the Aftermath of COVID-19: Is Presenteeism Remote-Work Behavior the New (Ab)normal?

Due to the confinement imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic situation, companies adopted remote work more than ever. The rapid rise of remote work also affected local life and many employers introduced or extended their telework activities because of the associated advantages. However, despite the evident positive benefits, some employees were pressured to work remotely while ill. This evidence brought new challenges to the presenteeism literature. This article investigates how individual, economic/societal, and organizational/sectorial/supervisory-related variables can moderate the role of a contagious disease, such as the COVID-19, in explaining presenteeism behavior. Moreover, the current research presents a multi-level conceptual model (i.e., organizational, individual, supervisory factors) to describe how a new construct of remote-work presenteeism behavior mediates the relationship between different post pandemic health conditions (e.g., allergies, back pain, depression, anxiety) and future cumulative negative consequences. The authors suggested that the widespread pervasive adoption of remote work because of COVID-19 has important implications for the presenteeism literature and opens avenues for further research.

Sickness Presenteeism as a Link between Long Working Hours and Employees' Outcomes: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivators as Resources

The aim of this study was to test the flow from long working hours to sickness presenteeism behavior and its outcomes for employees, while integrating intrinsic and extrinsic work value orientations as moderators in the process. We employed a two-wave design with a five-month interval. Data were obtained from 275 employees in Taiwan. The results of latent moderated structural equations (LMS) revealed that long working hours were positively associated with presenteeism, which in turn was negatively related to employees’ well-being and job performance. Furthermore, the negative indirect effect of working long hours on job performance via presenteeism was weaker for those with a higher intrinsic work value orientation. The negative indirect effect of working long hours on well-being via presenteeism was weaker for those with a higher extrinsic work value orientation. We demonstrated that the long-term impact of presenteeism behavior could be understood by viewing work value orientations as resource gains to compensate resource depletion in a demanding work context. This resource dynamism is pivotal to realizing the functional or dysfunctional outcomes of presenteeism behavior. Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings for employees’ well-being and organizational effectiveness are discussed.

Cross-level effects of health-promoting leadership on nurse presenteeism: The mediation and moderation effect of workload and performance pressure

This study examines the cross-level influence mechanism of leaders’ health-promoting leadership on subordinates’ presenteeism among nursing industry. A multilevel mediated moderation model was hypothesized to explore whether health-promoting leadership is associated with subordinates’ presenteeism via the workload of subordinates, and how leader’s performance pressure plays the role in the model. Questionnaires were distributed to 110 nursing teams, which including 110 chief nurses and 660 subordinate nurses. Our findings showed that although health-promoting leadership has no direct impact on presenteeism, health-promoting leadership has an indirect impact on presenteeism via workload, and workload acts as a complete mediator. Meanwhile, performance pressure moderated the relationship between health-promoting leadership and workload. With an increase in performance pressure of leaders, the negative impact of health-promoting leadership on nurse workload gradually weakened. In this multilevel mediated moderation model, the mediated moderating effect of performance pressure was significant and the moderating effect was completely mediated, which means that the interaction between health-promoting leadership and performance pressure can affect presenteeism through workload. When leaders were under high performance pressure, the protective effect of health-promoting leadership on workload would be inhibited. These findings contribute to enriching the research on presenteeism, providing insight into how the health development of employees and performance demands of leaders may be balanced, and affording fresh thoughts for effective prevention and treatment of nurse presenteeism.

Work and health-related factors of presenteeism: a mediation analysis on the role of menopausal symptoms between job demands and presenteeism among a sample of social service women employees

Purpose

Building on prior studies on the role of health-related and job-related issues in affecting presenteeism, the present study tested a mediation model of the relationship between job demands and presenteeism by exploring the mediation effect of menopausal symptoms.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a self-report questionnaire involving social service menopausal employees (N = 204) from a public municipal organization. The survey was cross-sectional and non-randomized.

Findings

Results revealed that job demands, namely emotional, cognitive and physical demands, were significantly and positively associated with presenteeism. Furthermore, mediation analysis evidenced that physical job demands were also associated with higher levels of menopausal physical symptom bothersomeness, which in turn serves as a condition to increase the act of presenteeism.

Originality/value

The findings of this study widen the perspective on presenteeism research by evidencing the role of an overlooked health-related factor in relation to the act of presenteeism, that is the menopausal transition. Insights for the development of targeted preventive measures of the act of presenteeism and menopausal symptom management in the workplace may also be derived from these results.

Workplace productivity loss as a result of absenteeism and presenteeism in chronic and episodic migraine: a scoping review

Purpose

Migraine consists of a chronic neurological disorder with episodic attacks. Migraine prevails in people of their most productive working age, followed by difficulties at work and social functions. This scoping review aims to analyze the economic burden on a workplace due to chronic migraine compared to episodic migraine by focusing on the indirect costs of absenteeism and presenteeism and addressing the research gaps in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, a comprehensive electronic literature search was carried out from 2010 to 2020 using the Google Scholar and Medline/PubMed databases.

Findings

The findings confirm that chronic and episodic migraine harm the workplace's productivity, escalating with the frequency of migraine attacks. Differences occur between presenteeism and absenteeism rates among chronic and episodic migraine, and higher presenteeism than absenteeism rates.

Originality/value

This review sheds new light on the indirect burden of migraine. It shows the gaps in the explored research area and the need for more targeted and extended research that could provide a deeper understanding of the workplace's hidden costs of migraine. The issues discussed are important as they can raise awareness of the interested parties, policymakers, employers and vocational rehabilitation specialists on the work disability associated with migraine.

Unlocking the Contradictory Outcomes of Presenteeism Through a Temporal Model: Effort Exertion as a Mediator

The effects of presenteeism, that is, working while ill or exhausted, are unclear, as previous research has yielded contradictory results. The aim of this study was thus two-fold: clarify the differential effects of short versus long-term presenteeism and corroborate the mediating effect of effort exertion on the relationship between presenteeism and work-related outcomes. We adopt a three-wave panel design and measure all the variables at three different points (initially, after one week and after one year) to understand the effects of presenteeism over time. Our sample consists of 361 Chinese employees working in diverse industries in Taiwan. We analyze the panel data using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping. Our results reveal that presenteeism is positively associated with increased effort, work engagement, and job performance after one week. By contrast, presenteeism is negatively associated with job performance and work engagement though positively associated with emotional exhaustion after one-year. Our research contributes to clarify paradoxical results regarding presenteeism's consequences, as well as corroborating that effort exertion mediates the relationship between presenteeism and work outcomes. We also identify practical implications for organizations managing employees working remotely, a more common reality with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing lockdowns and digitalization which has started to become the norm for a significant proportion of working sectors. Finally, we suggest recommendations for future research on presenteeism.

Teleworking While Sick: A Three-Wave Study of Psychosocial Safety Climate, Psychological Demands, and Presenteeism

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in the proportion of employees for whom teleworking became mandatory. Presenteeism, or the behavior of working while ill, has hardly been studied in the context of telework. The pandemic forced millions of workers to abruptly transition to working from home for a prolonged period of time, leaving employers often unaware of their health status or work capacity of the workers. This change also eroded the work experience itself, the workplace, and their protective impact on both individual health and work outcomes. This study focused on the longitudinal relationships among psychosocial safety climate (PSC), a lead indicator of workplace conditions, psychological demands, an indicator of quality of work, and presenteeism among a representative sample of teleworkers. PSC was expected to have an indirect impact on presenteeism with psychological demands as a mediator of this impact. Method: We collected the data from a representative sample of teleworkers in the first months (T1: April, T2: June, and T3: December 2020) of the pandemic using a three-wave online survey (n = 275). We tested a model of PSC as a determinant of presenteeism in teleworkers with psychological demands as a mediator. A cross-lagged panel model was estimated to test cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships. Findings: As expected, psychological demands increased over time. Contrary to expectations, the prevalence of presenteeism remained unchanged while PSC increased over time. The data fully supported the mediating effect of psychological demands such that a higher evaluation of PSC at T1 led to lower psychological demands at T2, which led to reduced presenteeism at T3. We also found a reciprocal relationship, with higher psychological demands at T2 leading to decreased evaluation of PSC at T3. These results show that the perception of teleworkers on their organization as giving a high priority to their psychological health is an important determinant of their work experience, ultimately influencing their decision to work while ill. The context of the pandemic has highlighted the importance of a positive workplace climate and working conditions for reducing the behaviors that can be harmful to health and productivity. Implications for theory and practice, beyond the pandemic, are discussed.