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Absenca

Presenteeism

Presenteeism is when employees work while unwell or disengaged, reducing productivity — the often-hidden counterpart to absenteeism.

Presenteeism is the lost productivity that occurs when employees are physically (or virtually) present but not working effectively — usually because they're ill, burnt out, or distracted. Unlike absenteeism, it's hard to see and often costs more.

Cultures that punish absence can inadvertently drive presenteeism, as people come to work sick to avoid using leave. Encouraging genuine sick leave and reasonable time off is the main remedy.

Related terms

Stop calculating leave by hand

Absenca handles accrual, carry-over, pro-rata, and public holidays automatically — so every balance is right without a spreadsheet. Free for up to 15 people.