Personality, staff attitudes and their association with absenteeism and presenteeism in Australian public sector hospital-based nurses: A cross-sectional study

<p><strong>Aim:</strong> To examine how personality and attitudes to sick leave influence nurses self-reported rates of absenteeism and presenteeism.</p> <p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite the significant economic cost and negative impact of absenteeism and presenteeism in health care, there has been limited research looking at personality (using the five-factor model) and absenteeism and presenteeism in nurses.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey of 320 nurses.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>Low emotional stability was significantly associated with higher presenteeism. Shift work predicted more absenteeism, whereas those who believed that a culture of entitlement to sick leave existed in the health service were less likely to be absent from work. Increased work-related stress was also a significant predictor of presenteeism.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study highlight the role of personality, stress and attitudes in nurses' decision to be absent or present at work when they are sick.</p> <p><strong>Implications for nursing management: </strong>Nurses are the largest workforce in health care settings. Reducing absenteeism and presenteeism in nursing through a greater understanding of the influencing factors will limit the economic impacts of this behaviour and improve patient safety.</p>