--- title: "Presenteeism: The Cost of Employees Coming to Work Sick" description: The importance of why sick employees should not come to work. image: https://blog.stargarden.com/hs-fs/hub/425286/file-1594732278.png --- [![StarGarden](https://blog.stargarden.com/hs-fs/hub/425286/file-1451547908.png)](https://www.stargarden.com) - [StarGarden](http://www.stargarden.com) - [Contact](https://stargarden.com/Contact) - Products - [HCM](https://stargarden.com/StarGarden-50) - [Essential HR](https://stargarden.com/Essential-HR) - [Benefits Management](https://stargarden.com/benefits-management) - [Organization Management](https://stargarden.com/organization-management) - [Employee Demographics](https://stargarden.com/employee-demographics) - [Balances & Accruals](https://stargarden.com/balance-accruals) - [Compensation](https://stargarden.com/compensation) - [Extended HR](https://stargarden.com/StarGarden-HCM/Extended-HR) - [Recruitment and Applicant Tracking](https://stargarden.com/recruitment-and-applicant-tracking) - [Employment Equity](https://stargarden.com/employment-equity) - [Labor Relations](https://stargarden.com/labor-relations) - [Health & Safety](https://stargarden.com/health-and-safety) - [Performance Management](https://stargarden.com/performance-management) - [Training and Development](https://stargarden.com/training-and-development) - [Payroll](https://stargarden.com/Payroll-Processing) - [Work Plans and Scheduling](https://stargarden.com/Work-Plans-and-Scheduling) - [Time and Attendance](https://stargarden.com/Time-and-Attendance) - [Payroll Processing](https://stargarden.com/Payroll-Processing) - [Reporting](https://stargarden.com/reporting-module) - [Foundation](https://stargarden.com/foundation) - [Workflow](https://stargarden.com/Workflow) - [Authority Manager](https://stargarden.com/Workflow/Authority-Manager) - [Provisioning](https://stargarden.com/network-administration-and-provisioning) - [Process Manager](https://stargarden.com/enterprise-business-process-management-solutions) - [Federation Server](https://stargarden.com/decentralized-authority-management) - Brochures - Product Brochures - [Overview](https://stargarden.com/overview-hcm) - [Human Capital Management](https://stargarden.com/hcm-management) - Case Studies - [Amalgamating Local Governments](https://stargarden.com/merging-local-governments-human-resource-software) - [Haldimand County](https://stargarden.com/hr-software-for-managing-unionized-workforce) - [Large Organization with Complicated Pay and Benefit Rules](https://stargarden.com/upgrade-or-customize-your-hr-system) - [Manufacturer - Growth through Merger](https://stargarden.com/streamlining-hr-and-payroll-processes-after-an-acquisition) - [Prince William County](https://stargarden.com/employee-self-service-helps-streamline-hr-to-be-more-strategic) - [St. John's](https://stargarden.com/hr-and-payroll-challenges-of-a-growing-city) - [The Case for Integration](https://stargarden.com/an-integrated-hr-solution-to-optimize-workforce) - Customers - [Government](https://learn.stargarden.com/government-solutions-whitepaper-download-0) - [Education](https://learn.stargarden.com/education-solutions-whitepaper-download) - [Health](https://learn.stargarden.com/healthcare-solutions-whitepaper-download) - [Unionized Industry](https://learn.stargarden.com/unionized-labor-solutions-whitepaper-download) - [Cross Border](https://learn.stargarden.com/cross-border-whitepaper-download) # Presenteeism: The Cost of Employees Coming to Work Sick [Marnie Larson](https://blog.stargarden.com/author/marnie-larson) March 27, 2014 at 6:34 PM ![cold-156666_640](https://blog.stargarden.com/hs-fs/hub/425286/file-1594732278.png?width=117&name=file-1594732278.png)   Presenteeism (employees coming to work when they are sick) may be more costly to employers than absenteeism. Sick employees can spread their illness to others leading to greater loss of productivity.  They are also likely to be less productive than when they are well, and coming to work may prolong their illness. According to a recent article in HRM Asia (Feb 4, 2014), a survey developed by staffing service firm Office Team showed that 7 in 10 professionals (70%) confessed to regularly reporting for work even when they were feeling under the weather. Sixty-five percent of managers also claimed that sick staffers arrive at work somewhat frequently. The survey included responses from more than 400 US workers aged 18 or older and employed in office settings, as well as over 300 senior managers at US companies with 20 or more employees. The bottom line revealed by the study is that 43% of workers “very frequently” came to work even though they were sick while 27% “somewhat frequently” reported for work while being ill. Only 13% claimed they “never” went to work having fallen sick. According to Office Team Executive Director, Robert Hosking, "Many professionals fear falling behind or feel that they can't afford to take a sick day, so they head into work when they are under the weather."  He advises managers to encourage staff members to remain at home while they are ill, adding, “…there’s nothing heroic about spreading colds and flu.” Read the full article: [http://www.hrmasia.com/news/latest-news/seven-in-10-workers-report-for-work-while-being-sick/183720/](http://www.hrmasia.com/news/latest-news/seven-in-10-workers-report-for-work-while-being-sick/183720/)   [Human Resources](https://blog.stargarden.com/topic/human-resources) ## Related Posts ### [July 12, 2021 at 12:42 PM The Correlation Between Happiness and Productivity](https://blog.stargarden.com/the-correlation-between-happiness-and-productivity) ### [October 21, 2021 at 10:33 AM Don’t be spooked about cloud-based technology for payroll systems](https://blog.stargarden.com/test/dont-be-spooked-about-cloud-based-technology-for-payroll-systems-1) ### [July 15, 2025 at 9:07 AM Smart Staffing Strategies to Build a Future-Ready Workforce](https://blog.stargarden.com/smart-staffing-strategies-to-build-a-future-ready-workforce) Find us in Canada, USA, and New Zealand Phone: 800-809-2880 [Email: info@stargarden.com](mailto:info@stargarden.com)   - [About Us](https://stargarden.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://stargarden.com/our-team) - [Services](https://stargarden.com/Workflow) - [Products](https://stargarden.com/StarGarden-50) - [Resources](https://stargarden.com/hcm-management) - [News & Events](https://stargarden.com/news-and-events) - [Ebooks](https://stargarden.com/hr-ebooks) - [Product Videos](https://stargarden.com/hcm-demo-videos) - [Blog](https://blog.stargarden.com/) - [Contact Us](https://stargarden.com/Contact) - [Subscribe](https://stargarden.com/newsletter-subscription) - [Get a Quote](https://stargarden.com/Contact) © 2026 All rights reserved.