Impact on employee productivity from presenteeism and absenteeism: evidence from a multinational firm in Sri Lanka

Authors

Mario Fernando, University of WollongongFollow
Peter Caputi, University of WollongongFollow
Fred D. Ashbury, University of Wollongong

RIS ID

113869

Publication Details

Fernando, M., Caputi, P. & Ashbury, F. (2017). Impact on employee productivity from presenteeism and absenteeism: evidence from a multinational firm in Sri Lanka. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Online First 1-6.

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the effects of 13 psychological and physical health conditions on work productivity.

Methods: One hundred fifty-two staff at the headquarters of a Sri Lankan multinational firm completed a questionnaire asking whether they experienced 13 health conditions common in workplaces, and about absenteeism and presenteeism that they attributed to these conditions.

Results: Most respondents (85.5%) reported absenteeism, presenteeism or both. Among those reporting symptoms of a health condition, 57.6% reported losing days due to absenteeism, and 69.5% reported losing additional days due to presenteeism. Among those caring for a sick adult or child, 57.3% reported losing days due to absenteeism, and 36.5% reported losing additional days due to presenteeism. Overall productivity loss was about 10.43 days each year, 3.95% of employee capacity, equating to about SLR 8 million (US$54,421) for all headquarters employees.

Conclusions: The health conditions' effects on productivity significantly increased employee costs.