Want Better Work Performance? Ban “Presenteeism” in Your Business

How does it impact performance?

Presenteeism can significantly stifle your company’s growth and your personal success. It can have several consequences like:

• Reduced creativity and problem-solving
• Decreased motivation and enthusiasm
• Lower-quality decision making
• Strained relationships with clients, customers, and colleagues
• Missed opportunities for growth and development

One recent report revealed that presenteeism linked to depression and anxiety disorders cost U.S. employers ~$140 billion yearly in lost productivity.²Garfield, R., & DeLeire, T. (2015). Mental Health and Productivity at Work. Washington, DC: Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/healthcare/reports/2015/12/07/126710/mental-health-and-productivity-at-work/

Another recent report uncovered even bigger financial consequences than when workers don’t show up (absenteeism).³Kelloway, E. K., Janssen, L., Francis, L., & Brennan, V. (2020). Transforming psychological well-being and productivity in Canada: An imperative for change. Canadian Public Policy, 46(2), 141-163. https://doi.org/10.3138/cpp.2019-056 Specifically, they said:

“Presenteeism imposes enormous costs on society, and its effects extend beyond the immediate financial consequences experienced by employers.

Presenteeism increases costs for public health care systems, negatively influences co-worker morale and performance, reduces organizational effectiveness and efficiency, contributes to burnout, turnover, and accidents, exacerbates mental and physical health problems, and undermines overall quality of life.”

Is presenteeism happening to you?

Let’s look at some real-world examples, in case it’s showing up in your business.

Scenario 1:

You wake up feeling under the weather. But you decide to push through and attend a crucial meeting with a potential client.

Despite your best efforts to focus, your fatigue and discomfort eventually become obvious. And your prospective client (secretly) questions whether you can deliver on promises you made during the pitch.

You don’t get the sale… and wonder why.

Scenario 2:

You’ve been dealing with intense family matters, causing distractions and sleepless nights. You try to keep up appearances around the office. But the team notices your shortened attention span. They’ve seen you missing deadlines and not executing on projects with your usual energy.

Your relationships with team members are becoming strained … and you’re unsure how to fix it.

It’s not like you can just “put down” this family matter…

Scenario 3:

You’re feeling “off” and exhausted from long hours, demanding deadlines, or this new marketing push. (You know, the usual.)

You run the show… so you push yourself to show up each day, to “set a good example.”

But are you?

Despite your best intentions, your mind is elsewhere. You struggle to concentrate.. You’re making more mistakes, so your productivity takes a hit.

Your clients are renewing at a lower rate. You chalk it up to “what’s going on in the news”…

The typical “life stuff” that knocks us off our A-game

There are some things in life we just can’t get around. Typical “life stuff” that can spark presenteeism includes:

• Grief: Significant life transitions, like the loss of a loved one or a romantic breakup. These impact your mental state and focus.
• Health issues: Chronic medical conditions, like diabetes or arthritis. These often need frequent medical care, influencing your work attendance and output.
• Elder or disability care: Caring for aging parents or relatives with mobility or cognitive impairments. This adds significant stress, potentially leading to reduced productivity.
• Legal affairs: Ongoing legal proceedings, like divorce hearings or property or estate disputes. These are emotionally draining, causing fatigue, depression, and low focus during work hours.

Business Stuff That Can Knock Us Off Our A-Game

As in life, so it is in business. Typical “business stuff” that causes us to fall victim to presenteeism includes:

• Financial struggles: Difficulties managing cash flow, payroll, or other obligations. This causes intense worry and stress, making it hard to focus on daily operations.

• Market fluctuations: Keeping up with trends, competitors, and consumer preferences. This can feel overwhelming, especially if your company lacks a solid growth strategy or resources.
• Team conflict: Dealing with employee or vendor woes, disciplinary actions, or high turnover. This can leech time from your primary responsibilities, leaving you feeling drained.
• Supplier issues: Problems with suppliers or contractors can disrupt workflows and delay projects. This creates unnecessary stress.
• Compliance: Meeting and staying current on industry regulations and license/certification renewals. This can be daunting, particularly without the proper expertise, organization, or support.

Remember, as a leader of a small business, your health and habits have a huge impact on business health. Addressing personal and professional pressures helps you rise to the challenge — consistently.

A Performance Strategist or Coach Can Help You Cope

As we said, “life stuff” will happen. So will “business stuff.”

But it can all be managed.

To keep presenteeism from sapping your energy and stalling your growth, it’s crucial to seek support.

A high-performance coach can partner with you to uncover the root causes of your distractions and offer strategies to combat them. They can help you choose firm goals for your business and take control of your situation, for higher productivity, health, and happiness.

Remember, caring for YOU is crucial for success in life and business. Learn how entrepreneur performance coaching can help you prioritize better, boost focus, work less, and reduce stress.