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Flu Rage

Employees who come to work sick are often misguided. “Tenacious” and “dedicated” is how they might describe their efforts. Increasingly though, their colleague and others would use quite different terms. Economists call this dogged persistence “presenteeism,” and it costs companies bundles in productivity losses.

On-the-job productivity losses from presenteeism account for as much as 60 percent of employers’ total costs related to workers’ illnesses, according to a joint study by Cornell University and the health-information firm Medstat.

Sometimes colleagues drag themselves in because they’ve exhausted their sick days or the company didn’t offer the benefit in the first place. Still, politely suggest to sick colleagues that they stay home so they can rest up. Point out that not only do they risk infecting others, but they won’t get much done.

If the colleagues persist in coming to work with raging fevers or ferocious coughs, speak with a manager. Even consider using the talk as an opportunity to lobby for more sick days. Maybe your company needs to offer more sick days to keep the office healthy.