Sickness presenteeism refers to working while feeling ill, either physically or mentally. It is very common but has received less attention than sickness absenteeism in both research and society. Sickness presenteeism can have both positive and negative consequences for individuals, workplaces, and society. When working while ill, we often try to balance considerations related to our health and demands at work. Both individual factors and workplace environmental factors, and the interplay between them, influence how sickness presenteeism manifests in the short and long term.
Purpose of the project
The project examines sickness presenteeism from a nuanced perspective and validates a new questionnaire designed to capture different types of sickness presence based on how individuals perceive its impact on health and job performance. We will study how these types of sickness presenteeism appear in different groups and across various health problems and how they relate to different factors in the psychosocial work environment. Norwegian working life, with few financial restrictions on sickness leave, is particularly suited for investigating sickness presenteeism, as the significance of work environment and individual factors is likely to become more apparent.
Why research sickness presenteeism types?
Sickness absenteeism is challenging for individuals, workplaces, and society. It can be reduced through the prevention and treatment of health issues, but also by making it easier to continue working with illness. However, this should be done in a way that does not compromise health and quality of life.
If we can find a good way to measure different types of sickness presence, this can help us understand how to achieve functional presenteeism and avoid dysfunctional presenteeism, making sickness presenteeism a potential resource for individuals, workplaces, and society.
Project leader
Randi Hovden Borge
External Collaborators
Data collection is conducted in collaboration with NAV Arbeidslivssenter in Oslo.
The project contributes data to an international study validating the questionnaire across twelve different countries. The international study is led by Professor Maria Karanika-Murray at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.