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. 2023 Feb;29(2):278-285.
doi: 10.3201/eid2902.221014. Epub 2023 Jan 4.

Relationship between Telework Experience and Presenteeism during COVID-19 Pandemic, United States, March-November 2020

Livvy Shafer, Faruque Ahmed, Sara Kim, Karen J Wernli, Michael L Jackson, Mary Patricia Nowalk, Todd Bear, Richard K Zimmerman, Emily T Martin, Arnold S Monto, Manjusha Gaglani, Michael Reis, Jessie R Chung, Brendan Flannery, Amra Uzicanin

Relationship between Telework Experience and Presenteeism during COVID-19 Pandemic, United States, March-November 2020

Livvy Shafer et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Persons with COVID-19-like illnesses are advised to stay home to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We assessed relationships between telework experience and COVID-19 illness with work attendance when ill. Adults experiencing fever, cough, or loss of taste or smell who sought healthcare or COVID-19 testing in the United States during March-November 2020 were enrolled. Adults with telework experience before illness were more likely to work at all (onsite or remotely) during illness (87.8%) than those with no telework experience (49.9%) (adjusted odds ratio 5.48, 95% CI 3.40-8.83). COVID-19 case-patients were less likely to work onsite (22.1%) than were persons with other acute respiratory illnesses (37.3%) (adjusted odds ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.24-0.53). Among COVID-19 case-patients with telework experience, only 6.5% worked onsite during illness. Telework experience before illness gave mildly ill workers the option to work and improved compliance with public health recommendations to stay home during illness.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; United States; coronavirus disease; pandemic; presenteeism; productivity; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; telework; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Enrollment flow diagram for adults seeking ambulatory medical care or testing at COVID-19 testing sites in study of relationship between telework experience and presenteeism during COVID-19 pandemic, United States, March–November 2020. Enrollment sites were in Michigan (Ann Arbor and Detroit), Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh), Texas (Temple and surrounding area in Central Texas), and Washington (Puget Sound region).
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