Presenteeism

02What People Think

If I can open my laptop, I can work. Taking a sick day would let everyone down, and being present proves I am reliable.

03What’s Underneath

Presenteeism means continuing to work while ill, including from home. It is different from merely looking busy or staying late to impress someone. The central issue is the mismatch between being counted as present and being well enough for the work you are attempting.

Imagine a cashier who cannot afford a missed shift, or an employee whose unfinished assignments will simply pile up during an absence. Their decision may reflect money, staffing, or fear of consequences rather than enthusiasm for the job. A policy allowing time off offers limited comfort if using it feels impossible.

The pressure can also be social. When a manager praises the person who never misses a day, coworkers learn what the workplace rewards. Remote access can make that expectation quieter: nobody asks you to travel in, but the messages keep arriving beside your bed. Attendance alone says little about whether the arrangement is sustainable.

04The Game

What makes working while ill feel safer than resting: lost pay, unfinished work, or the reaction you expect? The answer matters because an individual’s determination cannot substitute for workable staffing and leave arrangements.