Chapter 2: Occupational Demands, Environmental Resources, and Personal Resources Effects on Presenteeism and Health

Johns (2010, 2012) provides an excellent overview and discussion of the various definitions of presenteeism. He suggests that the literature has come to a consensus that presenteeism involves “going to work ill . . . and any productivity deficit that this might occasion” (Johns, 2012, p. 206). Johns suggests, however, that including these two aspects—working while ill and productivity loss—confounds two different factors. Therefore, he suggested that one should measure them separately, with the first aspect reflecting “presenteeism” and the latter reflecting productivity loss. If one incorporates both in the definition of presenteeism, then one can’t examine factors that affect individuals’ decisions to go to work when ill separate from the possible effect of going to work when ill—productivity loss. It is conceivable that one might be ill but not actually experience a productivity loss as a result of being ill.