WHU Knowledge

About WHU Knowledge

WHU Knowledge is the online knowledge platform of WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management, one of Germany’s leading business schools. It provides hands-on insights for business executives, journalists, politicians, associations, and fellow researchers on numerous economic and managerial subjects. WHU Knowledge bundles the expertise of the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management chairs and invites for a lively exchange.

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A Lack of Responsibility Isn’t the Problem

How presenteeism can harm companies and what managers can do against it

Prisca Brosi, Wladislaw Rivkin, Stefan Diestel, Dana Unger, Fabiola Gerpott

Companies have a problem when employees come to the office sick. But why? Employees may think a few tasks can be completed regardless of feeling ill, and it may be the case that there are simply too many tasks that cannot be left unfinished. In fact, they may even believe they show a remarkable sense of duty. Similarly, managers often tolerate this “presenteeism” or even explicitly expect it. What both parties often fail to recognize is that, from an economic perspective, employees who work despite being ill are not doing their company any favors. Two new studies explore why this is the case.