Page 11 - Gi flipbook June/July 2018

Sick staff toiling away as

levels of presenteeism soar

PRESENTEEISM AMONG “endemic” nature of people High-pressure cultures
UK workers is on the coming into work despite and heavy workloads are
rise, with the number of suffering from illness. not only pushing unwell
organisations witnessing “We had expected employees into the office.
staff working while ill presenteeism to fall off with The survey also found that respondents who said they
more than tripling since the end of the economic workers are using their had witnessed presenteeism
2010, the CIPD’s Health recession, because job annual leave to complete had also seen steps taken to
and Wellbeing at Work insecurity can be a real backlogged tasks – a combat it, such as sending
survey has revealed. Almost driver for turning up to work growing problem dubbed unwell employees home, in
nine in 10 (86 per cent) of when you shouldn’t be there ‘leaveism’ – with more than 2017, compared to 48 per
more than 1,000 HR and – but it has only increased two-thirds (69 per cent) of cent in 2016. Similarly, only
learning and development with time, so we can’t blame respondents witnessing this 27 per cent of those who
(L&D) professionals who that anymore,” she said. in their organisation over witnessed leaveism said their
responded to the survey President of the CIPD, the last year. company was taking action
said they had observed Professor Sir Cary Cooper, However, despite to tackle it.
presenteeism (where sick added: “There might be increasing awareness of “The intentions are
staff carry on working rather managers who say having work-related stress and good, but the practical
than taking time off to greater numbers of staff mental ill-health, which implementation is bad,”
recover) in their organisation in the office is good – but the survey respondents Cooper said. “It all comes
in 2017, compared with 72 that’s a terrible way of identified as a leading cause back to the line managers
per cent in 2016, and just 26 looking at this. Research of sickness absence, the – who should have the
per cent in 2010. on presenteeism shows number of organisations emotional intelligence
Rachel Suff, Senior that even if you are in the actively discouraging to recognise that their
Employment Relations office you are not delivering practices such as employees are not coping,
Adviser at the CIPD, told any added value to the presenteeism has almost and make the delivery
People Management that organisation, because your halved in the last two years. of more manageable
the report highlighted the productivity is so low.” Just a quarter of survey workloads a priority.” ■

Only two-fifths of UK employees are to be valued highly,
according to the study, and
happy with their workplace benefits which will invariably attract
the highest levels of spend.”
Given the choice, overall
two-thirds of employees
ONLY 40 PER CENT of believe employees are Mark Ramsook, Director said they would sacrifice
UK workers appreciate happy with their benefits of Sales and Marketing salary for more generous
the benefits they receive package, according to at Willis Towers Watson pension benefits, while
from their employer, new Willis Towers Watson’s Health and Benefits, said: health insurance saw a
research has revealed. Benefit Preferences report, “These findings reinforce marked rise in popularity,
Despite just two fifths part of its Global Benefits the importance of with 39 per cent calling for
of the employees saying Attitudes Study. employers actively engaging improved provision in lieu
their benefits meet their As well as highlighting with their staff to identify of salary – a 16 per cent
needs, almost two thirds a gulf between employee the benefits they most increase from 2015.
(61 per cent) of employers and employer attitudes value. This vital intelligence The research also showed
to benefits, the study should be married with that different employee
also found a link between wider corporate values and populations want different
benefit choice and business objectives. things from their benefits.
appreciation, according to “Furthermore, employers For example, baby boomers
HR News. Seventy-two per should ensure their benefits are more likely to cite
cent of employees able to are being effectively retirement planning as
tailor their provision via communicated to maximise their preferred benefit than
flexible benefit schemes engagement. This is millennials, while younger
said their package met their particularly important for workers are more likely
needs, compared with just traditional core benefits, to choose annual unpaid
23 per cent among those such as pensions and health leave than their older
offered no benefits choice. insurance, which continue counterparts. ■

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News.indd 6 17/05/2018 13:50