The mediating role of happiness at work in the effect of presenteism on job performance

This study examines the relationship between presenteeism experienced by healthcare workers and its impact on job performance, aiming to determine the mediating role of workplace happiness in this relationship. The population of the research consists of healthcare workers employed in State Hospitals affiliated with the Yozgat Provincial Health Directorate. A total of 891 healthcare workers participated in the study. The presenteeism scale, job performance scale, workplace happiness scale, and a demographic information form were used to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. In analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, Model 4 regression analysis from Process Macro was used to test the model, and independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) used to for the study. Although no significant effect of presenteeism on job performance was detected in the study (c= 0.026, p>0.05), presenteeism had a negative effect on happiness at work (a= -0.342, p<0.001), and happiness at work had a positive effect on job performance ( b= 0.201, p<0.001) and it was determined that happiness at work had a mediating role in the effect of presenteeism on job performance (=-0.068, 95% CI [(-0.0938)-(-0.0448)]. In the study, the fully standardized effect size is -0.102, and the partially standardized effect size is -0.09, which can be considered a medium effect size. Although, it was found that the demographic characteristics of healthcare workers create differences in presenteeism, job performance, and workplace happiness levels. As a result, to reduce the levels of presenteeism among employees in healthcare institutions, it is suggested to increase physical and mental rehabilitation opportunities, improve working conditions, and implement flexible working models. In this way, the desired levels of job performance and workplace happiness among employees can be achieved.