Employees are taking fewer sick days in the WFH era. According to a survey conducted by OnePoll, two in three Americans say they feel less inclined to take time off for sicknesses like sore throats and stuffy noses when working from home, and 70% say they’ve worked while sick during the pandemic. Additionally, half of respondents say COVID-19 has made other illnesses seem “minor.” Remote work has intensified what’s considered “sick enough” to take off work, raising the question of whether sick days should be offered in addition to vacation days. But working while sick is also proven to lead to “Presenteeism,” meaning workers will do less quality work when showing up while sick, and The American Productivity Audit found that “Presenteeism” costs the U.S. $226 billion in lost productivity per year. Encouraging employees to feel comfortable taking “true” sick days (in addition to vacation days) is one way employers can protect their workers from experiencing high levels of burnout that could lead to less productivity. Meanwhile, YPulse’s What’s Next for Work trend research shows that half of Gen Z and Millennials want their employers to give mental health days in addition to sick days, signaling how an expanded definition of health will play a role for the next generation of workers. (Axios)
