Is managerial ‘presenteeism’ a serious problem or should employees just stop whingeing?

Presenteeism occurs when an individual is physically present at work but mentally absent. Managerial presenteeism is a serious problem occurring in numerous workplaces. This essay will critically analyse the link between managerial presenteeism and work/life balance using various academic scholars. Presenteeism can lead to trouble within ones’ family relationships. Health and OH&S concerns such as stress start to become obvious with long hours of work. It also leads to negative effects on productivity and motivation, and labour process issues such as work intensification starts to arise.   Managers that work long hours set a standard for their employees which facilitate these negative affects in the workplace and thus create work/life conflict as well as instilling a fear of being made redundant. Corrective action needs to be undertaken by many managers within organisations to improve the work/life balance so that it reaches and almost equal level and thus attempting to eliminate presenteeism.

‘Presenteeism’ is a term that has been analysed and explored by various academic scholars. According to Simpson (2000) presenteeism is defined as “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.” Therefore, one is able to determine that this means being physically present at work but mentally absent. Simpson (2000) argues that the reason managerial presenteeism occurs is because firms are less willing to provide job security. Consequently, many managers respond to the insecurity and fear of redundancy by remaining at work for long periods of time to display noticeable commitment to the job and to differentiate them from the others.   According to Clarke (1994) characteristics of managerial presenteeism include “stress, heightened anxiety and fear of being next in line for redundancy... [continues]

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(2010, 08). Is Managerial ‘Presenteeism’ a Serious Problem or Should Employees Just Stop Whingeing?. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 08, 2010, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Is-Managerial-Presenteeism-A-Serious-Problem-387246.html

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"Is Managerial ‘Presenteeism’ a Serious Problem or Should Employees Just Stop Whingeing?" StudyMode.com. 08 2010. 08 2010 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Is-Managerial-Presenteeism-A-Serious-Problem-387246.html>.

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"Is Managerial ‘Presenteeism’ a Serious Problem or Should Employees Just Stop Whingeing?." StudyMode.com. 08, 2010. Accessed 08, 2010. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Is-Managerial-Presenteeism-A-Serious-Problem-387246.html.