BusinessAugust 18, 2026

presenteeism

prez-en-TEE-iz-um

Definition

The practice of being physically present at work while not being fully productive, often due to illness, mental exhaustion, or stress.

Etymology

The word is a modern derivative of the word present, formed by adding the suffix '-eeism' to describe a specific behavior or state of being. It emerged in the late 20th century to contrast with the concept of absenteeism.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe a productivity issue among older employees who attend work despite struggling with mental or emotional challenges. It highlights this as a hidden cost that impacts organizational performance.

Women face higher levels of burnout as stress levels climb

Read the full article ↗

IT-Online

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