Sick at work: report cites the dangers of "presenteeism"

The most common reasons for NOT calling in sick are: "I feel guilty," "My workload is too heavy," "I try to have perfect attendance," and "I save my sick time for personal reasons like family emergencies and sick children," according to a survey sponsored by Kronos Inc., a Chelmsford firm that develops hardware-and-software systems designed to increase workplace productivity.

But showing up sick at work can be a serious issue, according to Kronos, and there's a name for it: "presenteeism."

Presenteeism can create a work environment where workers are afraid of getting sick and cause anger to build against employers who don't encourage sick employees to stay home, Kronos said.

The survey of more than 1,000 working adults by Harris Interactive offered a recommendation: Employers should offer paid time-off programs that give employees a bank of time to use at their discretion.

"Employees are craving flexibility from their employers," Kronos chief marketing officer Stuart Itkin said in a statement. "'Working 9 to 5' is no longer the universal employee anthem."
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)