The consequences of sickness presenteeism on health and wellbeing over time: A systematic review

Abstract

We adopted a thematic approach to the analysis because of the heterogeneous nature of the sickness presenteeism research. The majority of studies found that sickness presenteeism at baseline is a risk factor for future sickness absence and decreased self-rated health. However, our findings highlight that a consensus has not yet been reached in terms of physical and mental health. This is because the longitudinal studies included in this review adopt a wide variety of approaches including the definition of sickness presenteeism, recall periods, measures used and different statistical approaches which is problematic if this research area is to advance. Future research directions are discussed.

Presenteeism in a Dutch hand eczema population—a cross‐sectional survey

“…From other diseases, we know that this kind of behaviour can eventually cause long-term absence if it is continued for some time. 12 Interestingly, in the group of patients with very severe hand eczema, the adjusted OR for presenteeism prevalence is lower than in the severe group. This is possibly because the patients with such very severe disease eventually do call in sick for a longer time (data not shown Methodologically, a possible limitation could be common method variance; we measured the outcome and all associated variables with the same self-report questionnaire.…”

“…Many of these patients had already called in sick on several occasions because of hand eczema, but probably only to give their hands a little rest. From other diseases, we know that this kind of behaviour can eventually cause long‐term absence if it is continued for some time . Interestingly, in the group of patients with very severe hand eczema, the adjusted OR for presenteeism prevalence is lower than in the severe group.…”

“…Presenteeism received little attention for years, but has been increasingly studied in occupational medicine since the start of the 21st century. A recent review highlighted presenteeism as a risk factor for future sickness absence and decreased self‐rated health . Furthermore, it has been shown that presenteeism may be related to more productivity loss and higher costs than sickness absence in the long term …”

Presenteeism as a predictor of disability pension: A prospective study among nursing professionals and care assistants in Sweden

“…New perspectives and issues have emerged, and a number of significant approaches to understanding the phenomenon of presenteeism have been noted . This is true for research concerned with the causes of presenteeism as well as research that focuses on its effects.…”

When Preventing Absenteeism Fuels Long‐Sickness Leave: The Case of a Leading Operator for Local Transport Services

“…One interpretation of this phenomenon is that short-duration absences may prevent more serious pathologies that lead to longer-term absences. In their comprehensive review, Skagen and Collins (2016) concluded that, in fact, sickness presenteeism at baseline is a risk factor for future sickness absence and decreased self-rated health. For example, using study populations from the public and private sectors, Bergström et al (2009) showed that the more workers work when sick, the higher the probability that they will be sick in the next 36 months for more than 30 days.…”