Impact on Employee Productivity From Presenteeism and Absenteeism: Evidence From a Multinational Firm in Sri Lanka. Issue 7 (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernando, Mario; Caputi, Peter; Ashbury, Fred
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 59:Issue 7(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: This study examines the effects of 13 psychological and physical health conditions on work productivity. Methods: One hundred fifty-two staff at the headquarters of a Sri Lankan multinational firm completed a questionnaire asking whether they experienced 13 health conditions common in workplaces, and about their related absenteeism and presenteeism. Results: Most respondents (85.5%) reported absenteeism, presenteeism, or both. Among those reporting a health condition, 57.6% reported losing days due to absenteeism, and 69.5% reported losing additional days to presenteeism. Among those caring for a sick adult or child, 57.3% reported losing days due to absenteeism, and 36.5% reported losing additional days due to presenteeism. Overall productivity loss was 10.43 days each year, 3.95% of employee capacity, equating to about Sri Lanka Rupees 8 million (US$54, 421) for all headquarters employees. Conclusions: The health conditions' effects on productivity significantly increased employee costs.