Employee Affiliation and Presenteeism in Health-care Settings

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Affiliation and presenteeism have a profound impact on organizational performance, individual health worker performance and health, and clinical performance, which in turn affects patient outcomes. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify organizational affiliation and to analyze the causes and determinants of presenteeism among nursing staff in health-care settings. METHODS: We used a descriptive-empirical method. Data were obtained by survey technique. Health professionals (n = 178) at primary, secondary, and tertiary health-care levels participated in the survey, 91% of whom were women and 9% men. More than half of the respondents (51%) are registered nurses/nursing technicians, 46% are paramedical nurses/nursing technicians, and 4% have a master’s degree in various health and nursing disciplines. RESULTS: The results showed that nursing staff show the greatest organizational loyalty in the way that they are always willing to help colleagues and managers and that they believe in the successful development of their healthcare institution. They are aware that they act irresponsibly toward other colleagues and patients when they come to work sick, but they were present at work despite their reduced ability to perform their job, because they do not want their colleagues to be overwhelmed by them and, despite having a health problem, they were able to complete the difficult tasks of their job, even though it took them more time and energy to do so. CONCLUSION: Employee adherence influences the quality of patient care, the work environment, and the reputation of the healthcare institution. Presenteeism is an undesirable behavior that receives too little attention from employers. It is a risk for the organization, for patients – service users as well as for health-care providers who are less effective in their work.