Presenteeism isn’t just showing up. It’s showing up drained. Working through illness, stress, or exhaustion because the culture demands it. Because you fear judgment, fear losing your gig, or because deadlines won’t wait. And it’s rewarded, subtly. The long hours, the badge of being “always on,” the quiet expectation that showing up sick is a kind of loyalty. 

Unlike absenteeism, which is easy to clock, presenteeism hides in plain sight. You see the person, but their energy, focus, and creativity are gone AWOL. They’re technically there, but not really present. Decisions get slower. Mistakes creep in. Communication breaks down. Over time, what looks like dedication starts costing the team more than a day off ever would. 

And the damage isn’t just individual. It spreads. One person pushing through burnout signals to everyone else that rest isn’t safe. Before long, the whole culture leans into depletion like it’s part of the job. But it’s not. It’s a warning sign…One we need to stop ignoring. 

The screen world glamorises grit. Long days, no breaks, pushing past limits -  badges of honour in many stories. But this hustle culture has a dark side. 

Freelancers juggle patchy work and income and skipping rest feels like risk management… 

Permanent staff worry about being replaced or losing projects if they take sick days… 

Managers and producers stress about shoot schedules, budgets, and delivering under pressure… 

So people come in sick, stressed, or overwhelmed. They push through the day, maybe get some things done. But at what cost? 

Working while unwell or unfocused slows everything down. Mistakes multiply. Creativity tanks. Morale drops as exhaustion spreads. Worst of all, it fuels a vicious cycle: pushing harder ultimately leads to more fatigue… more mistakes…more illness. 

Picture this: In an exhausted haze, you lose an important file on a critical edit, causing hours of rework. That’s not dedication -  that’s costly, inefficient presenteeism. 

It’s a health risk, too. Ignoring illness prolongs recovery or turns manageable issues chronic. Mental health suffers when stress hides behind a “just getting on with it” mask, deepening isolation and despair. 

Presenteeism can look like commitment. But watch for these signs: 

• Slowed reactions, frequent mistakes 

• Less participation in meetings 

• Pulling back from creative input 

• More irritability or apathy 

• Taking frequent breaks or disappearing unexpectedly 

• Visible signs of illness ignored or hidden 

• If a teammate is nodding off in the office or snapping at others, it might be more than a bad day. 

Here’s the truth: the fix isn’t just personal -  it’s systemic and it starts with culture: 

• Encourage honest chats about wellbeing without fear of penalty. 

• Normalise taking sick days -  mental health included. 

• Set realistic deadlines that consider human limits, not just project goals. 

• Model healthy habits by logging off, taking breaks, and respecting rest. 

Important to remember that freelancers don’t have the same protections as employees - they usually don’t get paid sick days unless they negotiate this into their contract, increase their day rate to cover time off, or have insurance to protect their income. 

For freelancers and crew: 

• Know showing up sick isn’t a superpower - it’s a risk. Protect your craft by protecting yourself. 

• Be clear about your limits. Negotiating deadlines or workload is professional. 

• Use your networks. Peer groups, mentors, industry resources can help when things get tough. 

Remember, persistent ill-health from work-related stress or illness may be protected under UK law. It may be necessary to consider reasonable adjustments and ensure that no one is penalised for taking needed rest or treatment. 

Tracking hours isn’t just about pay - it helps spot when presenteeism hides unsafe workloads. If someone is always “at work” but not functioning, that’s a red flag for managers and unions. 

Imagine a workplace where health isn’t sacrificed for hustle. Where missing a day doesn’t mean losing your spot. Where rest is fuel, not failure. This isn’t just theory… it’s possible. 

It takes honest talks, leadership that listens, and everyone recognising that being truly present means showing up whole -  physically, mentally, emotionally. 

Wondering how to break the cycle? Start small: 

• Ask yourself and your team: Am I really present today? 

• Notice when pushing through feels like sliding backwards. 

• Use industry supports like the Film and TV Charity, Bectu Vision, and Mind for confidential advice and help. 

• No one wins when we lose ourselves to the grind. 

Presenteeism is the shadow nobody sees - but its cost is real and heavy. The screen sector’s brilliance depends on people, not just hours logged. Showing up means being there… fully.