Employees now have a better reason to stay at home if they're sick. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal shows that showing up for work even though the employee is sick could have long-term negative effects like fatigue, depression and serious heart problems.

The study by New Zealand sociologist Professor Kevin Dew spoke about the term he coined as "presenteeism" which is showing up for work even though people should be staying at home sick. The long-term effects of presenteeism should be a concern for all employers as it relates to worker's health and workplace productivity.

"People feel compelled to go to work because someone else would have to take up the workload (and they have a) feeling of responsibility for not being able to care properly for patients (if they don't show up)," Professor Dew said in a report in the Herald Sun.

Those in caring professions like medicine or teaching are more likely to show cases of presenteeism. The working environment plays an important part in the worker's decision to show up to work even though he or she is battling an illness. Workplaces with no back-ups or those who don't pay employees if they don't show up will have employees showing up sick.

Other factors that lead to presenteeism are limited sick leave benefits, fear of dismissal, low levels of job satisfaction, high job demands, and concerns about promotions.

Management should take presenteeism seriously. Those in positions of responsibility shouldn't encourage workers to show up to work sick, they should encourage workers to take the time to rest and recover from their illness.

''Managers and occupational physicians need to be alert to the findings that even though presenteeism may have some positive effects in the short term; it is likely to be negative in the long term.''