United States: Conflict Presenteeism: Are You Losing Out?

Billions of dollars in lost productivity is a result of a new phenomenon called presenteeism, according to a recent report in the Harvard Business Review. Is your company losing out too?

Presenteeism refers the employees who go to work ill when suffering from the flu, cold, depression or other ailments. Those employees impact productivity and actually spread illness. They sense, whether from their employer or from the tough economy, they will suffer a personal loss to their perceived reputation if they don’t come to work. Call it the ‘good trouper’ mentality.

Although the study cites physical illnesses, workplace conflict is also a factor. Who hasn’t taken a ‘mental health day’ when faced with work tensions or a difficult co-worker or boss. It’s common for employees to avoid conflict until it escalates to a level that seems unmanageable. Feelings of frustration and helplessness grow so large employees become what I call MAW- Missing at Work. Their bodies are present but their minds are gone, obsessed with what to do or say next to get out of the conflict. No real work can be done.

Missing at Work carries the same financial losses as presenteeism. Discontent and mistrust spread as readily as the flu when a team is infected with conflict, making it very difficult for individuals to concentrate on business goals or effectively work as a team.

What’s the solution to conflict presenteeism? Be proactive. Here are a few suggestions to keep your workplace healthy.

1. Assess your culture. Does it avoid conflict?
2. Create a culture where employees understand that they are expected to address conflict early and resolve it collaboratively.
3. Hold both parties responsible for contributing to a solution, regardless of who’s at fault.
4. Provide coaching and training so employees have the language and skills needed to communicate clearly, listen well and find workable solutions.

Controlling conflict presenteeism can refocus your employees and create a much more pleasant and innovative workplace. And that’s nothing to sneeze at.