n. The feeling that one must show up for work even if one is too sick, stressed, or distracted to be productive; the feeling that one needs to work extra hours even if one has no extra work to do.
1994
Anne, who earns Pounds 25,000 a year, would like to start a family but is scared of losing her hard-won career. She and Sam are typical of a workforce now motivated by presenteeism, the exact opposite of absenteeism: being at work when you should be at home, either because you are ill or because you are working such long hours that you are no longer effective.
The term has been coined by Professor Cary Cooper, a psychologist specialising in organisational management at Manchester University.
The term has been coined by Professor Cary Cooper, a psychologist specialising in organisational management at Manchester University.
1985 (earliest)
Presenteeism — being at work when you shouldn't be, because although you are too tired or ill to be effective, you are too insecure about your job to stay away — is nearly as big a problem as absenteeism.
This word is a play on absenteeism, chronic absence from work without a good reason.