New reports

Presenteeism: A review of current thinking

As organisations continue to try to achieve more with less, develop leaner systems and greater efficiency, the toll it takes on employees’ mental and physical health has climbed the agenda.

Increased presenteeism – employees who attend work whilst ill – is one possible outcome of the pressure on organisations to remain competitive and boost productivity.

Studies have attempted to put a dollar value on the cost of presenteeism, which, on top of healthcare, also includes a drop in productivity at organisational level and the risk of future health problems for the individual. While there are still some challenges in carrying out this research, the evidence suggests that this is an aspect of organisational life that is worth taking seriously.

Research suggests that presenteeism is both more prevalent than absenteeism, and, unlike sickness absence, is also significantly related to performance. In the long term, presenteeism may also be more damaging for employees’ health, morale and productivity. The promotion of a healthy workplace should therefore drive down both absenteeism and presenteeism, rather than one at the cost of the other.

This report is an overview of research and current thinking in the field.

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Thoughts for the day: IES Perspectives on HR 2016

IES has published a collection of articles in response to current uncertainty and the tendency towards tactical cost and risk management that we are seeing. These pieces urge organisations to consider both general and strategic HR issues, as well as specific challenges, including a detailed description of this year’s gender pay reporting requirement and how to maximise the benefits.

This compilation of bite-sized essays by leading thinkers confronts and expands on existing thinking, plans, and practices in HR and employment.

It will help HR leaders think about, plan for, and deal with ‘known and unknown unknowns’, challenging modern fads, reinforcing some long-standing truths and offering original and practical insights.

The chapters in this year’s IES Perspectives on HR include:

• The me and we generations: the impact of intergenerational differences in the workplace
• What’s the point? the importance of meaningful work
• Gender pay gap reporting: important, undesirable or irrelevant?
• Performance management, a tale of two practices?
• Swimming against the tide: getting whistleblowers on board
• From consultation to co-production: high involvement change
• Can values add value?
• Ethical leadership

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