A Workforce Poll That Will Make You Sick
From the Eye on the Workforce Blog
by Joe Wynne
Workforce management is a key part of project success, but project managers often find it difficult to get trustworthy information on what really works. From interpersonal interactions to big workforce issues we'll look the latest research and proven techniques to find the most effective solutions for your projects.
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The Good News: More than ever employees are showing up at work motivated by debt loads and concerns over a poor economy.
The Bad News: Sickness won’t even stop them from coming. 83% of workers say are working while sick. That’s an increase from 77% in 2005 according to a recent poll.
Maybe only something as bad as the Vomit Virus (expected to be in the U.S. soon) or the flu will keep them away. If you’re lucky. When these extra sick people are in close quarters with the rest of your workers, there is a greater chance of additional infection. I’m not a doctor, just playing one in the blogosphere, but more sick people at work has to mean more sick people in your project later.
Listen. Hear the coughing? The sneezing? The nose-blowing? Sounds like you should be ready for extra sick days delaying project activities. Forget about telling them to stay home, though.
Posted on: January 11, 2008 08:11 PM |
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Comments (2)
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 | Anonymous |
I think there are several reasons for people coming to work when sick: 1) the pace of many organizations has been pushed to the point where people feel if they aren't in the office their entire organization is at risk of failure; 2) (related to #1) work (email, task assignments, etc.) continues to pile up whether they are in the office or not, leaving people feeling they need to do all they can just to keep up with it; 3) project schedules usually don't allow for sick time or vacations; 4) face time is still the number one measure of contribution, telecommuting is tolerated but rarely encouraged.
Shawn Belling
Chief Technology Officer and Adjunct Faculty| Geno.Me/University of Wisconsin
Fitchburg, Wi, United States
Thank god for our corporate culture, or at least our team culture! 1) Showing up when ill and contagious is discouraged. 2) Working from home is accepted, and encouraged when people are too ill or contagious to show up, but still want to or need to work as well as when our winter weather makes things hazardous. 3) We have generous, realistic sick time policies.
That said, I know I still feel like face time, my butt in my seat at my cube is still important. But given our research-based, campus-like culture, this is less key than in other places I've been.
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