Do you have workers who come to the job sick? In contrast to absenteeism, the term "presenteeism" describes people who refuse to stay home when sick, says workplace consultant Ellen A. Kaye.
These people might feel like heroes, bypassing the bed to get the job done; or maybe they don't want to spend the sick days. Whatever their reasons, sick workers can pose a major threat to their colleagues. Medications or overall physical depletion due to illness can lead to significant decreases in functional capacity, strength, and awareness. Some over-the-counter medications can make a person drowsier than a prescription pain killer! In other cases, a cold can interfere with work performance more than cancer. Whenever an employee's faculties are impaired, the risk of injuring themselves and others increases, especially on job sites that require acuity and awareness.
As an employer, you're responsible for safeguarding your workers from injury -- a responsibility that can include knowing when to send workers home before they injure a fellow employee or themselves.