Opposing effects of strong coworker relationships in times of sickness: a dual path between bonding workplace social capital and presenteeism propensity

Abstract Background Social relationships have been emphasized as important for understanding the tendency to work while ill (presenteeism). Nevertheless, evidence on the underlying mechanisms explaining how social relationships affect presenteeism remains scarce. This study investigates whether the effect of strong coworker relationships (bonding workplace social capital) on presenteeism is mediated by stress and work engagement, as posited by a dual-path model. Methods We employ a time-lagged research design using survey data from a large Danish municipality. The sample includes 1,914 employees nested within 300 organizational units. Structural equation modeling was used to test a dual-path mediation model. Results We find evidence of a dual pathway between bonding workplace social capital (WSC) and presenteeism. While bonding WSC decreases presenteeism through reduced stress, bonding WSC simultaneously increases presenteeism through higher work engagement. Conclusions This study sheds light on opposing effects of bonding WSC on presenteeism. These opposing pathways underscore the complexity of social dynamics at work and suggest that public managers should recognize both the protective and unintended effects of strong coworker relationships, ensuring that high work engagement does not inadvertently promote unhealthy attendance behavior.