Everyone’s at work, but are they really present?
Emails get answered, calls are taken, and smiles appear for clients. However, inside, your team members may be tired, distracted, or running on empty.
That’s presenteeism, commitment on the surface, but a quiet drain on performance, morale, and culture.
Why presenteeism in the workplace matters to you
Absence is visible, resignations are obvious. But presenteeism can slip under the radar.
The costs are significant
Productivity slows
Mistakes creep in
Clients notice the difference
Stress spreads through teams
Research suggests presenteeism costs UK employers £23.8bn, and absenteeism costs £7.3bn (Deloitte report 2024)
Deloitte also found businesses see a £6 return for every £1 invested in preventative employee well-being.
What causes presenteeism? Real-life signs in your team
Think about your own workplace. Are you noticing any of your team
Turning up unwell because they don’t want to let colleagues or clients down?
Always “on” but not producing at their best?
Tired, distracted, or making more mistakes than usual?
Quietly withdrawing in meetings or staying silent?
These are all signs of presenteeism, subtle and costly.
Workplace culture and presenteeism in client-facing roles
If your work is client-facing, the pressure to be “always on” is high.
Your team often pushes through, no matter how they feel. But when people are running on empty, the first thing to suffer is the customer experience. And that’s when presenteeism becomes visible, in your reputation, your results, and your retention.
A note from me
Presenteeism isn’t just something I research about; I’ve experienced it.
I know what it feels like to turn up every day, smile, and keep going, while inside you’re running on empty. That lived experience is why I push so strongly for early, independent support: because no one should have to carry that weight alone.
And for you as a business owner, it means your people don’t have to keep pushing silently until it becomes absence or resignation.
Why traditional support Isn’t enough
Most businesses already have HR policies or Employee Assistance Programmes, but not everyone feels that they can use them.
Very few employees will call a helpline to say: “I’m stressed, but still turning up.”
What also works is visible, independent, on-site support, something your people can see and trust.
Independent employee support: How RTSC helps
Here at RTSC, we bring that support directly into your workplace.
Confidential- employees have a safe space to talk.
Practical - Not therapy, not a tick-box. Coaching-led, grounded conversations.
Visible- RTSC drop-in days and on-site support show your people you mean it.
Safeguarding aware - We align with your duty of care and signpost responsibly if more is needed.
Tackling presenteeism now doesn’t just protect today’s performance; it strengthens retention, reputation, and resilience for the future.
Your next step to support employee well-being
If you’re only tracking absence, you’re missing the bigger cost.
Try our free 5-Question Culture Check, a quick way to see what’s really happening in your business.
Or book a pilot RTSC Drop-In Day - a straightforward, one-off investment that gives your team the chance to experience independent, on-site support in practice.
RTSC. Independent, on-site., here, when it matters most.
Annette
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