Presenteeism and Stress on Employee Productivity and Performance in Bayelsa State-Owned Tertiary Institutions and Local Government Councils, Nigeria

The study examined presenteeism and stress on employee productivity and performance in Bayelsa State-owned tertiary institutions and local government councils. The central objective of the study is to investigate how presenteeism and stress affect employee productivity and performance in Bayelsa State tertiary institutions and local government councils. The study adopted the equity theory as a theoretical framework for research work. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study in tandem with the objectives. The study adopted a survey research method, using qualitative and quantitative approaches that used primary and secondary sources for the collection of data and analysis. Two thousand (2,000) respondents from seven Bayelsa Stateowned tertiary institutions and eight local government councils were used as the sample size. The structured questionnaires were distributed to two thousand (2,000) respondents out of which one thousand nine hundred and ninety -five (1995) copies were retrieved for analysis. The analysis was based on a Questionnaire on development (QOD), using a 4-point Likert scale to analyse the research questions as a descriptive statistical tool, especially frequency and mean. The findings revealed that the study also revealed that demand pressure and timeframe given to the workers; and financial needs to meet family demand; industrial accidents such as mistakes or errors in employees’ productivity and performance; spread of contagious diseases from the sick worker to others and their families amongst others are the causalities and effects of presenteeism and stress in an institution. Consequently, the study recommended amongst others that there should be a workable, desirable, and harmonious working relationship between the management and employees in line with the eight-hour working method to prevent presenteeism and stress.