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Presenteeism in Non-Academic Staff in a Public University Context: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Reasons to Work While Sick during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Sónia Magalhães

    (ICBAS—School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Joselina Barbosa

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Elisabete Borges

    (Nursing School of Porto, ESEP, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    Center for Health Technology and Services Research—CINTESIS@RISE, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Presenteeism negatively affects worker performance. We aimed to know the prevalence of presenteeism in non-academic university staff, identify health problems and associated factors, as well as explore the reasons that led to presenteeism during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 332 non-academic staff. The Portuguese version of the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6) was used, and socio-demographic and occupational data were collected. Participants were divided into groups according to the presenteeism cut-off score (no presenteeists, presenteeists with high job performance, presenteeists with low job performance). Multinomial regression was used to identify occupational and demographic characteristics associated with presenteeism. An open question replies analysis made it possible to explore the reasons for going to work while sick. Presenteeism was experienced by 30.1%. Presenteeism with high job performance was not associated with socio-demographic and work factors. Professionals who performed only physical work (OR = 9.4; 95% CI: 1.7; 51.0) and those who conducted hybrid work (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.8; 9.6) showed a higher risk of belonging to the presenteeist group with low job performance. Financial reasons led professionals to work while sick. This study raises the importance of evaluating presenteeism in non-academic staff to create conditions for them to maintain high performance despite presenteeism and to intervene when there is low performance due to presenteeism.

Suggested Citation

  • Sónia Magalhães & Joselina Barbosa & Elisabete Borges, 2022. "Presenteeism in Non-Academic Staff in a Public University Context: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Reasons to Work While Sick during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:14966-:d:971795
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teresa Cuerdo-Vilches & Miguel Ángel Navas-Martín & Ignacio Oteiza, 2021. "Working from Home: Is Our Housing Ready?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-28, July.
    2. Skagen, Kristian & Collins, Alison M., 2016. "The consequences of sickness presenteeism on health and wellbeing over time: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 169-177.
    3. Magnus Moglia & John Hopkins & Anne Bardoel, 2021. "Telework, Hybrid Work and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: Towards Policy Coherence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-28, August.
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