Is presenteeism the solution? Flexible working is better, says Lewis.

A new report suggests that being at work while you are ill may not be such a bad thing after all, however Adrian Lewis, absence management expert from Activ Absence suggests that flexible working would be preferable in many cases.

The report on so-called ‘Presenteeism’ by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) challenges the idea that workers have to be 100 per cent fit before going back to work and argues that the workplace can have a beneficial effect on rehabilitation and recovery, even for workers with serious health conditions.

The report, ‘Presenteeism: A Review of Current Thinking’ by IES Principal Associate Dr Valerie Garrow, looks at research from across the world on the causes and impact of ‘Presenteeism’ – defined as ‘showing up to work when one is ill’. While the report acknowledges that Presenteeism can be a negative phenomenon (risking cross-infection and increasing the chances of making some health conditions worse) it also suggests that employers should look at the positive benefits of some Presenteeism at work... keep reading