LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Experts say employees who come to work despite being sick can adversely affect productivity as much as those who falsely call in sick.
The problem is called "presenteeism" to contrast with absenteeism, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Concerns about presenteeism have grown because of fears of a bird-flu pandemic. Public health officials say if the disease mutates so it passes from person to person, it could thrive in offices.
"I wish employers would make it possible for sick employees to stay home," says the public health director for Los Angeles County. "Certainly from a public health standpoint that makes sense."
But many workers say calling in sick is not an option in the real world. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says 42 percent of all workers in private industry are not entitled to sick time.
Experts say one way to resolve presenteeism is improving office morale so workers are not afraid to stay home if they're sick, the report said. Another is to encourage telecommuting for those who must be on the job even if they're contagious.
