The 2008 Health Leadership Series Absenteeism and Presenteeism

The 2008 Health Leadership Series: Absenteeism and Presenteeism The New Productivity Gap? prepared for: CIGNA May 2008 The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 1

Nearly Half of All Employees Missed Work in the Past Six Months for Reasons other than Holiday or Vacation • About half (46%) of those employed have missed at least one day for personal reasons in the past six months How many days in the past six months did you miss work for reasons other than a holiday or a vacation? Average Number of Days Missed per Employee in the last 6 months: 3 (Among total, N = 1, 149) *Base: Among Total, N = 1, 149 The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 2

The Principal Reasons for Their Absence: Being Sick & Family Issues • What were the main reasons for missing work on those particular days? • 47% of those who missed work in the last 6 months say the main reason was due to an illness While 22% say they missed work due to family issues, such as caring for a sick child, or problems with other family members Main Reasons % Illness 47 Ordinary illness/Sick (cold, flu, cough, etc) 41 Ongoing illness/Condition (diabetes, heart, etc) 6 Family-related issues 22 Cared for a sick child 10 Cared for another sick family member 6 Problems with other family members 4 Problems with kids 3 Couldn't find child care 2 *Base: Among those who missed any days of work in the past 6 months for reasons other than holiday/vacation, N = 528 (Unaided, pre-coded list. Multiple responses accepted. ) The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 3

Many “Press On” and Go to Work Anyway • • Just under two-thirds of employees went to work in the last six months even though they were sick or had to deal with some other issue On average, they went to work despite their ailment or issue seven times in the last six months And how many days in the last six months did you go to work even though you were sick or had some other issue that you had to deal with outside of work? Other issues, for example, could be a sick child at home or problems with other family members. Average Number of “Presenteeism” Days per Employee in the last 6 months: 6. 9 (Among Total, N = 1, 149) *Base: Among Total, N = 1, 149 The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 4

Over Half Spend Time at Work Trying to Resolve Their Personal Issues • During a typical week, employed U. S. adults spend 2. 4 hours at work trying to resolve their personal issues During a typical week at work, how many hours would you say you spend on resolving personal issues such as making doctors appointments, communicating with a teacher from your child’s school, talking with a caretaker for an aging parent, etc. ? Average Number of Hours in a Typical Week Spent Resolving Personal Issues (per Employee): 2. 4 (Among Total, N = 1, 149) *Base: Among Total, N = 1, 149 The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 5

During a Particularly Stressful or Eventful Week, Over Two-Thirds Spend Time Resolving Personal Issues at Work • During these particularly stressful or eventful weeks, employed adults spend an average of 4. 7 hours while at work trying to resolve their personal issues How about during a particularly stressful or eventful week, what is the most time you have ever spent resolving personal issues while at work? Average Number of Hours During a Stressful/Eventful Week Spent Resolving Personal Issues (per Employee): 4. 7 (Among Total, N = 1, 149) *Base: Among Total, N = 1, 149 The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 6

Presenteeism Leads to Lower Productivity • 62% of those who went to work even though they were sick or had to deal with some other issue say they were less productive on those days On those days where you went to work even though you were sick or had to deal with some other issue, to what extent did it impact your productivity? Were you… 62% say they were less productive on such days *Base: Among those who went to work even though they were sick or had some other issue in the past 6 months, N = 696 The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 7

More than Half Say Their Co-Workers Noticed This Lower Productivity • Three in four of those who were less productive say they are concerned about going to work when they are not able to perform their best Do you think your co-workers noticed that you were less productive? Does it concern you to go to work when you’re not able to perform your best? Would you say… *Base: Among those who went to work even though sick or had some issue and were less productive, N = 429 The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 8

For U. S. Employees: Duty Calls Why did you feel the need to go to work even though you were sick or had some other issue? • • Two-fifths of employees say they went to work anyway because of their work ethic, dedication to their job, or that their company/coworkers need them One in four say they went because they needed the money Main Reasons % Needed at work/Work ethic 38 Company/Co-workers need me 20 Didn't want to burden others with work/Absence 9 Didn’t want to look uncommitted 5 Strong work ethic 3 Dedicated to my job 1 Ran out of (or don’t want to use) vacation time/PTO/Sick days 6 Did not want to use my paid-time off days 4 Ran out of sick days 2 Ran out of vacation/PTO days 1 *Base: Among those who went to work even though sick or had some issue in the past 6 months, N = 696 [Unaided, pre-coded list. Multiple responses accepted. ] The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 9

Nearly Half Say Lack of Sleep Has Made an Impact on Their Work Performance • With two-thirds reporting they do not get enough sleep To what extent has a lack of sleep made an impact on your work performance? Would you say it has had… *Base: Among Total, N = 1, 149 The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 10

Lower Productivity, Irritability, and an Inability to Focus Are the Top “Side-Effects” • • Half said they were less productive in the past week due to lack of sleep Two-fifths said they were irritable, unable to focus, and/or had to put things off How has a lack of sleep affected your work performance in the PAST WEEK? Would you say you… *Base: Among those whose lack of sleep has affected work performance, N = 515 [Aided list. Multiple responses accepted. ] The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 11

Strategies to Stay Alert: Caffeine is the Top Choice • 88% of employed U. S. adults said they use at least one strategy so that lack of sleep will not impact their performance at work What strategies have you used so that lack of sleep won’t affect your performance at work? Would you say… *Base: Among Total, N = 1, 149 [Aided list, multiple responses accepted. ] The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 12

Survey Methodology • Telephone interviews were conducted among a national probability sample of 1, 149 part or full time employed individuals 18 years of age or older, living in private households in the continental United States. • This random-digit-dial sample was fully replicated and stratified by region. Only one interview was conducted per household. All sample numbers selected were subject to up to four attempts to complete an interview. • The interviews took place between the 8 th and 11 th of May, 2008. • Data are weighted by age, gender, geographic region, and race to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the population. • The sampling error for this study is +/- 2. 9%. • The sample comprised 61% self-described white collar, 25% blue collar, and 12% service workers, with 2% not reporting. The Segmentation Company a division of Yankelovich © Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 2006 13