Warning: High Levels of Employee Presenteeism Coupled with the Flu Season is a Stay-Awake Workplace Issue
"Sick at Work" survey found majority of employees go to work sick
CHELMSFORD, Mass., Dec. 20, 2006 — Fever, chills, and aching bones. It's flu season and many employees will arrive at work bringing more than just their lunch. Today, the Workforce Institute™ announced the findings of a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive® and sponsored by Kronos® Incorporated (Nasdaq: KRON). According to the study "Sick at Work", an overwhelming 98 percent of employees working full time have gone to work when they were sick. The survey of more than 1,000 U.S. employed adults demonstrates that "presenteeism" (sick employees showing up for work) is an issue impacting both employers and employees.
The "Sick at Work" survey uncovered the drivers behind presenteeism and explored how employers can curb the problem. When asked why they go to work sick, the most-cited responses were: I feel guilty for calling in; my workload is too heavy; I save my sick time for personal reasons like family emergencies, sick children, parent care issues and other unexpected events; and I try to have perfect attendance.
The survey also found that presenteeism can have a negative impact on all employees in the workplace. Some employees agreed that when employees come to work sick, it creates a work environment where they are afraid of getting sick, it makes them upset with their employer for not encouraging sick employees to stay home, and it sets a precedent where employees feel like they must go to work even if they are sick. As part of the survey, employees offered advice to employers on how to create a healthy work environment. Employees suggested that they not be penalized for calling in sick, and that employers offer paid time off (PTO) programs that give employees a bank of time to use at their discretion.
"Employees are craving flexibility from their employers. 'Working 9 to 5' is no longer the universal employee anthem," said Stuart Itkin, chief marketing officer at Kronos. "To reduce presenteeism, bolster employee satisfaction, improve workforce productivity, and boost the bottom line, best practice organizations are providing employees with flexibility and rewarding them based on results."
Enjoying a "sick" day off
Although the majority of respondents who have taken a sick day were ill, 39 percent have abused this time. These employees admitted to going to the beach, going shopping, and spending the day pampering themselves at a spa when they were supposedly "home sick".
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive® on behalf of Kronos® Incorporated between September 25 and 27, 2006 among 1,117 adults (aged 18 and over) who are employed full time. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
With a pure probability sample of 1,117, one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results would have a sampling error of +/- four percentage points. Sampling error for subsamples would be higher and would vary. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com. To become a member of the Harris Poll Online and be invited to participate in online surveys, register at http://go.hpolsurveys.com/PR.
About Kronos Incorporated
Kronos Incorporated empowers organizations around the world to effectively manage their workforce. At Kronos, we are experts who are solely focused on delivering software and services that enable organizations to reduce costs, increase productivity, improve employee satisfaction, and ultimately enhance the level of service they provide. Kronos serves customers in more than 50 countries through its network of offices, subsidiaries, and distributors. Widely recognized as a market and thought leader in managing the workforce, Kronos has unrivaled reach with more than 30 million people using a Kronos solution every day. Learn more about Kronos at www.kronos.com.
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