We all know the high cost of absenteeism, prevalent when workplace morale is low and employees are unwell, unhappy, and call in sick. But what about the costs when they do come to work sick, depressed, or just plain don’t want to be there?  This extremely expensive phenomenon is called “presenteeism.”   

A multi-year study of 10 organizations and over 150,000 workers by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine finds that your company pays much more to have employees at work when they exhibit signs of “presenteeism” than when they call in sick. 

There’s a key theme in all of my blogs, and it’s Prevention–with a capital “P”.  It’s everything.  When you provide access to employee health and wellness programs including flu shots, child birthing, nutrition, and weight loss, you create an educated environment  promoting health and fitness as a way of life.  Morale goes up.  Your employees become more engaged, more fit, and more attentive.  Engaged employees are creative, productive, and proactive.  It’s time to stop the exhaustive drain of presenteeism in America’s workplace by practicing Prevention and Wellness.