Diminishing returns: Presenteeism costs businesses more than providing sick days to workers

Forbes Business points out that many people go to work sick, especially if they “just have a cold”. But it also notes that only 57% of private industry workers have the option to stay home and take a paid sick day, despite the low cost of doing so: just 23 cents per hour!

The upshot? Workers with a fever or more serious illness are more likely to show up to work, even if they shouldn’t — and that costs businesses money:

Yes, there’s a financial price to coming to work ill. It’s called presenteeism, and it costs employers $180 billion annually, according to a 2007 study by the Society for Human Resources Management. That’s more than employers shell out for employee absenteeism, which costs only $118 billion a year.

Sick employees don’t just affect their own work; they infect co-workers who then need to take time off themselves. (Or who come in sick and spread the germs further.)

Read more from Forbes: When Should you Call in Sick?

  • Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More To Read

September 28, 2023

Coming to a town near you—the EOI Policy Team!

To understand the needs and priorities of our state’s different regions, EOI is listening to the people and communities most impacted by our policy priorities.

September 12, 2023

Everyone Loses Under Washington’s Tax System

Except billionaires. And even they lose.

September 6, 2023

This Washington Shows That Washington: Proposed Federal Overtime Protections Can Go Further

Thanks to the work of advocates, thousands of Washington workers are already getting a better deal at work