You’ve got a runny nose and your limbs are aching. And when your morning coffee doesn’t chase away your headache, you pick up the phone and want to call in sick. But the sense of duty is stronger: Aafter all, that crucial project meeting is taking place today. Or your fellow team members already have their hands full. So you take something for your cold and go to work.

If all that sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone. Around one quarter of employees regularly show up for work despite being ill. This phenomenon is known as “presenteeism”. The reasons behind it are varied: a strong sense of responsibility, a fear that work will come to a standstill or simply a fear of being viewed as lazy and unmotivated.

However, people who turn up sick for work are not doing themselves and the company any favour. Illnesses that are not given time to get better can become chronic – in the worst case, resulting in a prolonged incapacity for work. If you have cold or flu symptoms, you also run the risk of infecting other team members. There’s also a much higher risk of accidents because your attention is impaired when you’re sick. Finally, reduced health affects performance in general. You may be present – but you’re still not there.

The Employee Assistance Program at Movis accompanies you on the path to better health. Together, we will find out why presenteeism is an issue for you – and develop solutions that lead to greater health awareness and well-being. After all, you’re worth it!