Presenteeism and Paid Sick Days


 

Publication Date: February 2005

Publisher: Center for Law and Social Policy

Author(s): Jodie Levin-Epstein

Research Area: Labor

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Employers who do not provide paid sick days may feel it is too expensive to pay for workers who do not come to work. However, new research suggests that when workers are sick on the job, their presence comes at a cost to employers—the "hidden" cost of reduced productivity. This four-page paper defines "presenteeism" and discusses what can and is being done about it.