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WotD: Presenteeism
Presenteeism is a phenomenon that is increasingly discussed in the modern workplace.
It refers to employees being required or expected to come to work despite being ill, injured, or mentally unwell.
Instead of taking the necessary time off to recover, employees are physically present but not fully functional.
While presenteeism may seem like a dedicated attitude to work, it can have significant repercussions for employees and businesses.
One of the most significant negatives of presenteeism is that it can lead to a decline in productivity.
When employees turn up to work but are not functioning at their best, they will likely make more mistakes and take longer to complete tasks.
This can ultimately impact the quality of work produced and harm the company’s bottom line.
Presenteeism can also spread illness or disease within the workplace – employees who are unwell and come into work risk infecting others.
Therefore, unnecessary presenteeism can lead to a higher rate of absenteeism and a decrease in overall productivity.
On the other hand, presenteeism can also have positive benefits for businesses.
In countries like Japan, presenteeism is often seen as a testament to an employee’s dedication to their work.
It is common for employees to prioritize their work above their health, leading to high levels of presenteeism.
This can create a culture of hard work, dedication, and loyalty, which can benefit businesses.
However, it is important to note that the benefits of presenteeism should not come at the expense of employee well-being.
Employers must prioritize creating a healthy, supportive workplace culture that allows employees to take the time they need to recover from illness or injury.
Even in Japan, we can see a change in the trend.
Young people realize the so-called Japanese work ethic is not voluntary but forced presenteeism.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least a 9th-grade education (age 15).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 51.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.