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Do you remember when we all used to work in an office? There are plenty of things we don’t miss about that environment—like awkward small talk, the unpleasant odors from the break room microwave, and sharing restrooms with coworkers.
However, one aspect I truly miss is sick leave. Employers may still provide sick days, but when working from home, it’s easy to feel tempted to check emails while battling a cough or attend a conference call while nursing a migraine. According to Axios, two-thirds of Americans are unlikely to take sick leave for minor ailments when working remotely. Shockingly, 70% admit to working while sick during the pandemic. Why do we push through? And what are the consequences of doing so too often?
Neglecting to take sick days can lead to prolonged illness and, ultimately, burnout, which is much more challenging to recover from. Think of your energy like a smartphone battery. If you only charge it to 75%, it dies faster, making it harder to reach a full charge later. Our emotional, mental, and physical well-being operates in a similar manner.
The Rise of Presenteeism
What many of us do isn’t a mark of exceptional work ethic or overcommitment; it’s called presenteeism. You may not be familiar with the term, but you’ve likely experienced the concept. Presenteeism refers to lost productivity when employees are not fully engaged due to illness, injury, or other conditions. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been there. Yup, my hand is up too.
So, why do we engage in this behavior? Why has prioritizing work over health become the norm? The answer involves two key factors. First, company culture plays a significant role. A workplace that genuinely supports the emotional, mental, and physical needs of its employees is essential. Simply stating that you value employees’ holistic health isn’t enough; actions must back those words. If you want your team to perform at their best, allow them to rest when they aren’t feeling well.
The second factor is society’s misconception that remote work equates to constant availability. Since transitioning to remote work, many feel a heightened expectation to be always on-call, which can lead to employers downplaying the importance of sick days.
I recently took time off for mental health and burnout issues. Before that, I had been out sick due to COVID brought home by my child. As someone who usually avoids calling in sick, I found myself questioning why I hadn’t taken time off sooner.
Ironically, while I was resting at home, messages started flooding in from work. I logged into my computer multiple times that first day off and was urged to join calls, even when I felt awful. My workplace knew I was sick and had a child at home, yet the pressure was still there. If I had only been dealing with emotional distress, I can’t imagine how relentless the demands would have been.
Mental Health is Health
Even though discussions around mental health have become more common, the conversation in the workplace still needs to evolve. Taking time off for mental health is just as valid as taking sick leave for a physical injury. Mental health is health, period. If you feel yourself approaching burnout—physically, mentally, or both—don’t hesitate to take a step back. While recovery from burnout is possible, it’s significantly harder when you’ve crossed that line.
Ultimately, businesses must get their work done, but overworking employees leads to decreased productivity. If your workforce isn’t at its best, the necessary tasks won’t be completed, affecting overall business performance.
In the end, you risk losing valuable employees and facing the extensive costs of recruiting and training new ones. Employers should not look down on employees for taking sick leave, regardless of whether they work remotely. Don’t bombard them with emails when they’re unwell. And employees, prioritize your well-being. If you’re not healthy, no one benefits—because your health is more important than any paycheck.
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Summary:
Remote workers often neglect to take sick days, leading to presenteeism and potential burnout. Company culture and societal expectations contribute to this trend, making it crucial for employers to encourage their employees to rest when needed. Mental health is as important as physical health, and taking time off to recover benefits both employees and businesses.