How to Avoid the Hidden Costs of Pushing Through Work-related Injuries 

Employees who opt to keep working rather than immediately report and get care for a work-related injury drive up costs. Pushing through pain or avoiding use of an injured body part are classic examples of presenteeism – being on the job but not working at full capacity. 

Presenteeism is associated with significant occupational health, safety, and financial consequences for everyone involved. In a study of injury-related productivity losses, researchers found that presenteeism accounted for $6.33 billion in annual losses for U.S. employers. According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review, illness-related presenteeism losses add up to $150 billion a year, nearly 10 times more than absenteeism. 

Some human costs are hidden and hard to measure, including the potential for delayed recovery times, re-injury, and effects on overall quality of daily life. Ultimately, delayed care can result in temporary or permanent impairment, placing heavy burdens on the employee, their employer and family members, and on society as a whole. 

Why Do Some Employees Push Through? 

Workplace culture plays a significant role in whether employees feel comfortable reporting a work-related injury or illness. A survey of more than 168 million American workers referenced in the Harvard Business Review suggests that presenteeism is a byproduct of three structural issues:  

• How jobs are designed 
• How work is structured across industries 
• How cultural norms around availability and commitment are reinforced  

In American culture, having a strong work ethic has long been a valued attribute. But work ethic is just one factor that contributes to “toughing it out.” Today, dedication to work competes with other priorities. Surveys show that employees are struggling to keep pace with rising costs while attempting to equalize work-life balance and feel engaged in a meaningful occupation. 

Some employees are motivated by a desire to appear resilient and not let co-workers down. Or they may not report a work-related injury to their employer because they are worried about: 

• Displeasing their supervisor 
• Getting transferred to a less-desirable shift or job 
• Potential loss of income 
• How serious their injury might really be  
• Becoming a workers’ comp claimant 
• Tainting their employment record 
• Getting reinjured or being labeled as a “problem”  

The Hidden Costs of Trying to Work Through It 

Physical Risk 

• An injured worker may be fatigued, have poor concentration, or be slow to respond while attempting to do their job and not let on that they are hurt. People who are in pain or trying to protect an injured body part have higher risk for accidents and errors. When compensating for an existing injury, other parts become more vulnerable to injury.  

• Without prompt medical attention, mild strains can escalate to chronic, costly musculoskeletal disorders. Minor cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds, and minor burns can become infected and cause serious systemic reactions. Heat illness and cold-related injuries and illnesses can rapidly transition to life-threatening conditions.  

• Work-related injuries can be both predictable and unexpected. For example, employees who are trained to use ergonomically correct tools and movements are aware of musculoskeletal injury risks but can still get hurt when they rush, get distracted, move awkwardly, slip or fall, or skip rest breaks. 

Mental Health Risks 

• Mental health disorders take a toll in U.S. workplaces. Pain-induced mental strain can affect cognitive function. A lack of appropriate injury care is associated with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and burnout. A worker may choose not to report an injury but still feel angry, neglected, afraid, or disengaged when they do not receive timely attention. 

How Immediate Reporting and Early Intervention Add Value 

Many people mistakenly believe that it’s best to push through injuries and keep working, but long-term results indicate the opposite is true. WorkCare’s experience with injury management shows that the vast majority of work-related medical complaints can be safely managed at work with provider guidance and self-administered first aid.  

WorkCare supports workplace policies and procedures that encourage employees to report even minor injuries before they have a chance to get worse – and without fear of reprisal. As soon as an injury is reported, an employee can receive care guidance via WorkCare’s 24/7 telehealth Injury Care team, on-site clinical staff, or referral to a local clinic. These options are repeatedly shown to help: 

• Prevent prolonged recovery and potential disability 
• Reduce medical and insurance costs  
• Sustain productivity and profitability 
• Protect employees’ long-term earning capacity 
• Improve employee trust and morale  

When employers create a workplace culture in which health and safety is paramount and employees get the right care, at the right time, in the right setting, injury prevention and management resources can be more effectively allocated on a production line, at a worksite, or across an enterprise. 

Continuing to work after a non-emergency injury may be a sign of dedication, but it can also be a high-risk behavior. For employees, it jeopardizes physical and mental health and long-term well-being. For employers, it increases exposure risks that can result in productivity losses that far exceed the cost of early intervention. 

WorkCare can help you avoid these consequences. To learn how we can help, contact us today.