Presenteeism: The Hidden Cost to Businesses and Who’s Responsible

When it comes to employee performance, most organisations focus on absenteeism – counting the days lost when people are physically absent. But there's another, often more damaging phenomenon at play: presenteeism.

Presenteeism happens when employees are physically present but mentally checked out. They are at their desks, in meetings, on the shop floor – yet disengaged, unproductive, and often simply going through the motions.

The cost to businesses? Lost productivity, lower morale, and a toxic ripple effect across teams.

What Leads to Presenteeism?

Presenteeism isn’t just about laziness or poor work ethic – far from it. It is usually a symptom of deeper organisational issues:

• Poor Leadership: When employees feel unseen, unsupported, or undervalued, their motivation inevitably drops. A lack of clear direction or recognition can quietly erode commitment over time.

• Toxic or Unsupportive Cultures: Environments that prioritise "being seen" over genuine performance, punish taking time off, or ignore wellbeing issues often encourage presenteeism.

• Fear and Job Insecurity: In uncertain economic climates, employees may feel pressure to 'show up' even when unwell or disengaged, worried that absence might put their role at risk.

• Lack of Purpose: When employees can't see how their work contributes to something meaningful, enthusiasm fades. A sense of ‘what’s the point?’ creeps in.

• Burnout and Overwork: High workloads without adequate support lead to mental exhaustion, where employees are physically present but mentally drained.

In almost every case, presenteeism is not simply the fault of the employee — it's a reflection of the leadership, culture, and working practices of the organisation.

Our goal is simple: to give businesses the tools to get the very best out of their people – and to make the workplace a place where people want to be, not just have to be.

So, Whose Fault Is It?

Presenteeism is not an individual failing; it is an organisational one. It stems from leadership that hasn’t invested in motivating, supporting, and engaging their teams effectively.

If employees feel disconnected, stressed, or undervalued, they will naturally disengage – no matter how physically present they are.

Businesses that ignore presenteeism risk not only losing productivity but also driving away their best talent over time.

How Organisations Can Turn It Around

The good news? Presenteeism is preventable – and reversible – with the right leadership approach:

• Empower Managers to Lead Well: Great managers know how to inspire, support, and bring out the best in their teams.

• Communicate Clear Purpose and Goals: When people understand the ‘why’ behind their work, they care more about the ‘how.’

• Prioritise Wellbeing and Support: A culture that cares gets better results.

• Invest in Personal Development: People who feel they are growing are more likely to stay engaged and motivated.

At Barefoot Trainers, we work with organisations to help inspire and motivate high-performing teams through leadership and management coaching.

We anchor our training in proven psychometric tools such as DISC profiling, helping businesses understand the different behaviours and motivators within their teams. With this insight, companies can create more inclusive, motivating environments where individuals thrive – not just survive.

Our goal is simple: to give businesses the tools to get the very best out of their people – and to make the workplace a place where people want to be, not just have to be.