Sickness presenteeism in a New Zealand hospital
Lisa M Bracewell, Duncan I Campbell, Palmira R Faure, Emily R Giblin, Tessa A Morris, Liyana B Satterthwaite, Cameron D A Simmers, Caroline M Ulrich, John D Holmes
Healthcare workers have been shown to have higher rates of sickness presenteeism (turning up top work despite being unwell) and lower rates of sickness absenteeism when compared with other occupational groups. In this study (undertaken between 13 March and 9 April 2009) doctors were shown to be significantly more likely to exhibit sickness presenteeism than any other occupational group in the district health board. This study showed the most common reasons for staff not taking time off when ill were that they did not believe they were unwell enough to justify taking time off and that they did not want to increase the workload burden of their colleagues.