Presenteeism is a workplace phenomenon that occurs when employees continue to work despite experiencing physical or psychological health problems, generating significant consequences for employee well-being, job performance, and organizational productivity. Initially regarded as the opposite of absenteeism, presenteeism has evolved into a multidimensional concept that explains performance loss among employees who are physically present at work but are unable to perform at their full capacity due to health-related issues. The intensification of global competition, concerns about job security, changing work arrangements, and the widespread adoption of digital technologies have increased both the visibility and significance of presenteeism in contemporary working life.

This chapter examines the historical development, etymological origins, and various definitions of presenteeism presented in the literature. Different dimensions of the concept are discussed through the perspectives of voluntary and involuntary presenteeism, as well as illness-based and productivity-based approaches. Personal, organizational, and environmental factors contributing to the emergence of presenteeism are evaluated, including personality traits, workaholism, job insecurity, organizational culture, leadership practices, digitalization, and remote working arrangements. Furthermore, the effects of presenteeism on employee health, job performance, productivity, work quality, occupational accidents, and economic costs are assessed from employee, organizational, and economic perspectives.

The chapter also explores the relationships between presenteeism and closely related concepts such as burnout syndrome, workaholism, technostress, digital fatigue, quiet quitting, work alienation, and workplace anxiety. In addition, the phenomenon of digital presenteeism, which has become increasingly prominent with the expansion of digital work environments, is discussed within the context of contemporary working life. Finally, individual, managerial, and organizational interventions aimed at supporting employees’ physical and psychological well-being are addressed, emphasizing the importance of health-oriented workplace practices for sustainable performance, organizational effectiveness, and long-term success.