Tackling sickness presenteeism in organisations: What can be done? 

FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first). 

Tackling sickness presenteeism in organisations: What can be done? 

Professor Gail Kinman and Dr. Christine Grant

Awareness of sickness presenteeism and its impact on employees and organisations is growing. Research shows a rise in presenteeism, particularly for mental health issues, with healthcare workers and home-based employees especially vulnerable. Although working while not fully fit can be beneficial, dysfunctional presenteeism poses significant health and safety risks. It can delay recovery, increase the risk of future health problems and absenteeism, and reduce productivity. Sickness presenteeism can also lead to errors, accidents and injuries, impacting not only the sick employee but also their colleagues and the public. This can be particularly harmful in roles involving the wellbeing and safety of others. To address dysfunctional presenteeism effectively, systemic, evidence-based interventions are required. 

This webinar examines sickness presenteeism using insights from the recently published SOM guide and  the authors’ own research. It considers the prevalence of sickness presenteeism, the contributing factors and its impact on employee wellbeing and productivity. Research from the education and security sectors is used to illustrate the varied causes and impact of presenteeism across different organisational contexts. A range of evidence-based strategies is presented to help organisations mitigate the harmful effects of presenteeism and promote a ‘healthier’ approach to sickness absence.

The critical role of occupational health practitioners in managing dysfunctional presenteeism is explored, along with practical strategies to address this issue. Time is also allocated for questions and discussion about this important challenge. 

Chair: Dr Charlie Vivian

FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.