HR Glossary
Presenteeism
What is Presenteeism?
Presenteeism is when an employee attends work but is not fully productive due to illness, injury, mental health challenges, fatigue, or personal issues. Unlike absenteeism, the employee is physically present, but their performance, concentration, or effectiveness is reduced.
Presenteeism is often harder for organisations to identify than sickness absence, yet it can have a greater long-term impact on productivity, wellbeing, and employee retention.
Examples of Presenteeism
Presenteeism can show up in many ways, including:
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An employee working while unwell with a cold, flu, or chronic condition
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Someone returning to work too early after illness or surgery
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Employees struggling with stress, anxiety, or burnout but not taking time off
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Reduced focus, increased mistakes, or slower task completion
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Long working hours masking declining performance
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Employees feeling unable to take sick leave due to workload pressure or workplace culture
In many cases, presenteeism is driven by fear of letting colleagues down, concerns about job security, or a lack of support around health and wellbeing.
Why Presenteeism is a Problem for Employers
Presenteeism can be more damaging than sickness absence because it often goes unnoticed. Employees may appear committed by turning up to work, but when health or wellbeing issues are affecting performance, the hidden costs quickly add up. Over time, presenteeism can undermine productivity, increase risk, and contribute to more serious and costly problems for the business.
Key issues for employers include:
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Reduced productivity and work quality, even though employees are present
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Higher risk of mistakes and accidents, particularly in safety-critical roles
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Worsening health conditions, leading to longer-term sickness absence
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Lower morale and engagement within teams
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Increased burnout and staff turnover if issues are not addressed early
How GoodShape Can Help Reduce Presenteeism
GoodShape’s absence management and wellbeing software helps organisations identify, manage, and reduce presenteeism by focusing on early intervention and better health support.
Key ways GoodShape can help include:
Early visibility of health issues
By capturing detailed absence and health-related data, managers can spot patterns that suggest presenteeism, such as repeated short absences or declining performance following illness.
Supportive health conversations
Structured absence reporting and return-to-work processes encourage meaningful, supportive conversations rather than reactive or punitive responses.
Signposting to appropriate support
Employees can be guided towards relevant health services, such as occupational health, mental health support, or GP services, helping them address issues before they worsen.
Data-driven insights for managers
Reporting and analytics highlight trends across teams and departments, enabling proactive action to improve wellbeing and productivity.
Promoting a healthier workplace culture
By normalising open conversations about health and providing clear support pathways, GoodShape helps organisations move away from a “push through at all costs” culture.
Presenteeism occurs when employees are at work but not well enough to perform effectively. Tackling it requires visibility, early support, and a culture that prioritises wellbeing – all areas where GoodShape can play a key role. Book a demo today to learn how we can make a difference to presenteeism levels within your organisation.