Abstract
This study explored (virtual) sickness presenteeism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using qualitative data from 505 members of the German working population, it investigates how working from home, which rapidly increased because of the COVID-19 outbreak, is perceived with regard to the pandemic. The study explored how this development affects the decision to show absence or presence in case of illness. More than 1,300 responses to different open-end questions by presenteeists and non-presenteeists were analyzed. The findings suggest that many previously identified reasons for deciding for or against presenteeism are still applicable. However, noteworthy differences with regard to both telecommuting and the pandemic occurred. Virtual sickness presenteeism seems to be strongly encouraged by the possibility to adjust working conditions at home. Additionally, COVID-19 has affected the perceptions of health at work. The study contributes to a more in-depth understanding of (virtual) sickness presenteeism during a global pandemic. Six propositions for future research are developed, and the importance of context for the consequences of virtual sickness presenteeism is discussed.
Highlights
The COVID-19 outbreak has led to many changes in the workplace for millions of workers
We found evidence related to the decision process in choosing virtual sickness presenteeism during a global pandemic and explored the current perceptions of telecommuting and sickness presenteeism
The results of this study indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic and telecommuting have impacted the decision to show absence or presence
Summary
The COVID-19 outbreak has led to many changes in the workplace for millions of workers. Organizations and employees barely had time to prepare for these changes (De’ et al, 2020). Both changes have impacted individuals in terms of their attendance behavior at work, as perceptions of health and illness changed and telecommuting was suddenly allowed even where it was previously forbidden. This is especially important for research on presenteeism, defined as the behavior of working in the state of ill-health (Ruhle et al, 2020), as it impacts what attendance behavior can be considered acceptable. Knowledge regarding the formation of COVID-19, Telecommuting, and (Virtual) Sickness Presenteeism presenteeism is steadily increasing (Johns, 2010; Miraglia and Johns, 2016; Lohaus and Habermann, 2019), our understanding of presenteeism during a pandemic, while telecommuting, is lacking
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