When organisations think about the cost of poor wellbeing, they often look at sick leave.
Days lost.
Absenteeism.
Unplanned leave.
And while these costs matter, they may not be the biggest challenge facing your workplace.
Because the greatest cost is often sitting right in front of us.
People who are physically present but operating well below their potential.
This is known as presenteeism.
And it affects workplaces every day.
What Is Presenteeism?
Presenteeism occurs when employees come to work despite being physically, mentally or emotionally depleted.
They show up.
They attend meetings.
They answer emails.
They appear productive.
But beneath the surface, they're struggling.
Exhausted.
Overwhelmed.
Distracted.
Disconnected.
Operating in survival mode rather than performing at their best.
Unlike absenteeism, presenteeism is difficult to see.
Which is why it often goes unnoticed.
The Hidden Impact
When people are running on empty, performance is affected.
Decision-making becomes harder.
Communication suffers.
Creativity declines.
Mistakes increase.
Patience wears thin.
Energy drops.
And over time, these impacts begin affecting teams, culture and results.
Not because people don't care.
Because they don't have the capacity they once had.
When Stress Becomes Normal
One of the biggest challenges in many workplaces is that chronic stress becomes normal.
People become accustomed to operating under pressure.
Working through breaks.
Ignoring warning signs.
Pushing through exhaustion.
Continuing to perform while carrying more than they can sustain.
Eventually, what should be recognised as a concern becomes accepted as part of the job.
And that's where risk begins to grow.
Looking Beyond Attendance
Attendance doesn't always equal wellbeing.
And being present doesn't always mean someone is okay.
The most effective organisations look beyond who is showing up.
They create environments where people feel supported to recognise challenges early, seek support when needed and operate sustainably.
Because sustainable performance is not created by pushing people harder.
It's created by helping people operate better.
A Question Worth Asking
Take a moment to reflect.
How many people in your workplace are currently showing up exhausted?
How many are operating on autopilot?
How many are carrying stress that nobody is talking about?
And how many risks remain hidden simply because people continue turning up every day?
A Final Thought
The biggest risks in a workplace aren't always the ones we can see.
Sometimes they're the ones we've normalised.
The people who continue showing up while quietly struggling.
The people who appear fine but are operating well below their potential.
Because the greatest cost in your workplace might not be sick leave.
It might be the people who are still there.
About Donna Martin
Donna is a Burnout & Workplace Wellbeing Specialist, Mentor and Speaker, and founder of The Goodlife Approach™.
Through keynote talks, workplace sessions and practical wellbeing tools, she helps individuals and organisations increase awareness, improve wellbeing and build sustainable performance.
Whether you're looking to create positive change in your life, strengthen your wellbeing, support a team, or build a healthier workplace, awareness is where change begins.
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