“Presenteeism is defined as lost productivity that occurs when employees come to work but perform below par due to any kind of illness. While the costs associated with the absenteeism of employees has been long studied, the costs of presenteeism is newly being studied.” (Levin-Epstein, 2005)

“Presenteeism describes the employee who “is present, but not fully accounted for.” These individuals who experience illness, low morale, or exhibit a poor attitude, contribute to productivity losses at work. In a 1999 study sponsored by the Employers Health Coalition, researchers calculated that the costs of lost productivity are 7.5 times greater than costs due to absenteeism. For example, presenteeism due to chronic conditions; such as migraines, allergies and back pain can add up to 15, 20 or even 30 times the costs of absenteeism (Onsite Healthcare, n.d.).”

“Presenteeism is a new term used by human resource professionals to describe circumstances in which employees come to work even though they are ill, posing potential problems of contagion and lower productivity” (CCH Incorporated, 2003).