For many Australians, “pushing through” illness has long been viewed as a sign of commitment and resilience. Remember the old ‘Soldier On’ ads from Codral??
Employees often feel pressure to keep working despite feeling unwell – whether due to workload, deadlines, staffing pressures, or simply not wanting to let their team down.
But when it comes to infectious illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, working through illness can come at a significant cost – not only to the individual, but to the entire workplace.
Presenteeism: The Workplace Risk We Don’t Talk About Enough
Most businesses are familiar with absenteeism – employees taking time off work due to illness. However, presenteeism can be just as disruptive.
Presenteeism is when employees attend work while unwell, often operating below their normal capacity and potentially exposing others to illness in the process.
Unlike a single sick day, one contagious employee can quickly affect an entire team. In workplaces with shared spaces, close contact, customer interaction, or shift-based operations, illnesses can spread rapidly and create ongoing operational disruption.
The result can include:
- Reduced productivity
- Increased errors and workplace incidents
- Lower staff morale
- Higher rates of illness across teams
- Greater pressure on remaining staff
- Ongoing disruption to business operations
In many cases, the broader impact of illness within a workforce extends far beyond the initial employee who came to work sick.
The Productivity Impact Is Real
Even when employees continue working while unwell, productivity often drops significantly.
Fatigue, fever, headaches, body aches, and respiratory symptoms can affect concentration, communication, decision-making, and overall performance. Recovery may also take longer when people don’t allow themselves adequate rest.
Workplace Culture Matters
Many employees still feel uncomfortable taking time off when they are sick. Some worry about falling behind, burdening coworkers, or appearing unreliable.
Creating a workplace culture that supports staff to stay home when unwell is an important part of reducing transmission and protecting workforce wellbeing.
Equally important is taking proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of illness spreading in the first place.
Prevention Is Better Than Disruption
One of the most effective ways organisations can reduce the impact of seasonal illness is through workplace vaccination programs.
Vaccination helps protect employees from serious illness and can reduce the likelihood of outbreaks disrupting teams and operations. It also demonstrates a clear commitment to employee wellbeing and workplace health.
For many businesses, onsite workplace vaccination clinics offer a practical and convenient solution by making it easier for employees to access recommended vaccinations without needing to arrange appointments externally.
This flu season we have worked with hundreds of organisations across a wide range of industries in Australia, to help protect workforces against vaccine-preventable illnesses through tailored workplace vaccination programs.
A Smarter Approach to Workforce Health
Illness in the workplace will never be eliminated entirely. However, businesses that take a proactive approach to prevention are often better positioned to maintain productivity, reduce disruption, and support healthier workplaces overall.
Encouraging employees to prioritise their health – and providing accessible vaccination opportunities – is not just beneficial for individuals. It’s an investment in the resilience and continuity of the business itself.
For more helpful information, read our recent blog article, top tips for staying healthy during flu season.
