Attendance points push sick workers on the job, even with paid leave

MedicalXpress | juin 11, 2026

A new study finds that employer points systems, which penalize workers for absences regardless of the reason, are strongly associated with presenteeism, the practice of showing up to work while sick, and that these systems undermine the public health benefits of paid sick leave laws even in jurisdictions where such protections are on the books. Published in the June 2026 issue of Health Affairs, the research, "Points-Based Attendance Systems Associated With Presenteeism Despite Paid Sick Leave Protections," draws on 2024 survey data from more than 3,000 hourly service-sector workers at 63 large U.S. firms.