Sickness presenteeism due to respiratory infection in the English workforce: prevalence estimates and demographic factors from the Winter COVID-19 Infection Study (WCIS)

作者：Mark Gideon Burdon, Sam Denson, Maria Tang, Jonathon Mellor, Thomas Ward · 发表于：medRxiv · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.64898/2026.02.13.26346245 · 研究领域：Workplace Health and Well-being、Occupational exposure and asthma、Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure

Abstract Background Working while sick (presenteeism) with an infectious disease contributes to the spread of infections and is detrimental to productivity. Respiratory illnesses are a common cause of sickness in the working population and understanding the prevalence of presenteeism linked to respiratory illness is therefore important. Methods Winter Covid Infection Study (WCIS) panel members in work aged 18-64 were surveyed in February - March 2024 and asked about presenteeism in the previous 28 days. Multilevel regression and poststratification was used to estimate the prevalence and length of presenteeism and its effect on productivity in the English workforce, as approximated using the WCIS survey sample calibrated to census proportions. Differences by demographic groups and work sector were also analysed. Results Around one in six working adults in England worked while sick with a respiratory infection during the study period, and one in ten attended a non-home workplace. Overall, around one day per adult was spent working while sick with a respiratory infection, approximately half of which was non-home working. Respondents felt they were able to work at around three-quarters of their usual capacity while sick. Presenteeism was more common among respondents who were younger, White, worked in a hybrid pattern, lived in larger households, had Long COVID-19, or worked in teaching and education. Conclusion Working while sick with a respiratory infection is relatively common...