Presenteeism

Some of the highest costs are also those most overlooked. Costs due to presenteeism and absenteeism cut deeply into the pockets of most employers.

What is presenteeism?

(prez.un.TEE.iz.um) - noun

Presenteeism, a relatively new term, is the evil twin of absenteeism. It is the measure of lost productivity cost due to employees actually showing up for work, but not being fully engaged and productive because of health and life issues.

Currently, presenteeism is estimated to be up to 7½ times more costly to employers than absenteeism. *

Intuitively, it makes perfect sense. When someone doesn't feel well -- physically or emotionally -- they simply are not as productive, and the quality of their work is lessened. The numbers tell the story:

• Presenteeism accounts for 61% of lost productivity at work.**
• $2000 is the cost burden of presenteeism per employee/yr.***
• 68% of employees take frequent "stress breaks" at work.****
• 30% of employees come to work at least 5 days per year when they're too distracted to be effective.****

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* Employers' Health Coalition
** Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
*** Cigna Behavioral Health
**** CompPsych