The nose is running, the throat is scratchy, but the presentation has to be finished, the project has to be handed in. Many people know the dilemma. They drag themselves to work sick because important deadlines are looming or they don't want to let the team down. But this seemingly pragmatic decision has consequences that are underestimated. Researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology, together with scientists from Groningen and Bonn, have investigated what happens to people who work despite being ill.
Exhaustion is only slowly reduced
123 employees kept a weekly diary for 16 weeks. They noted whether they had worked sick and how exhausted they felt. The team led by Dr. Carolin Dietz from Chemnitz University of Technology analyzed the data. The finding: "People who work while sick need considerably longer to recover," explains the scientist. Many people underestimate how long it takes the body to recover from working despite illness. The data showed that exhaustion only dissipates slowly over several weeks after such phases.
Two thirds of the participants went to work sick at least once. Some did it several times. The more often people work despite being ill, the greater the signs of chronic fatigue. "Those who regularly exhibit presenteeism run the risk of falling into a spiral of excessive demands and permanent exhaustion," warns Dr. Oliver Weigelt from the University of Groningen.
It's not the illness that exhausts you, but continuing to work
The researchers investigated whether other factors could be causing the exhaustion. They took into account symptoms of illness, workload and time pressure.
"Exhaustion is therefore not simply a consequence of the illness itself, but above all a consequence of the behavior of continuing to work anyway," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Christine Syrek from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences.
Prof. Dr. Bertolt Meyer from Chemnitz University of Technology derives clear recommendations from the study. Companies should actively encourage employees to take time off sick. This would not only prevent infections, but also medium-term costs due to reduced performance. His message to employees is: "Resting is not a weakness, but an investment in sustainable performance."
