O presenteísmo entre trabalhadores de centrais de telecomunicação

Abstract

The main objective of this dissertation was to analyze the phenomenon of presenteeism among the telecommunication center workers of a medium-sized city in northeastern Brazil. As specific objectives, we identify the sense of presenteeism for telecom workers and see how work affects the health of these workers. Presenteeism can be defined as a phenomenon in which the person remains working, even when he could and should be absent due to some physical or psychological problem. We chose to research this phenomenon among telecommunication workers after realizing that this is a professional category with weakened employment links and that has a work organization favorable to the physical and / or psychological illness of its workers. As for the research method, we conducted nine semi - structured interviews with subjects who were, or until recently, telecommunication center workers. The research data showed that the subjects are active in their work, having to make several maneuvers, mockery and tricks during the work day to escape the prescription and to be able to carry out the assigned tasks, which demonstrates the ingenuity of these subjects. In the results, we noticed that all workers reported that they had already been presentists at least once, some due to the desire to progress vertically in the company, others to protect the direct supervisor's labor bond, or as a defense strategy, but mainly because of fear of losing their job, due to their financial dependence on wages. As to the reason that might have led them away from work, the subjects reported illnesses that were directly related to their activities and work organization, such as tendinitis, depression, anxiety, rhinitis, headache foam allergy, among others, suggesting how much this can be an addictive activity. As a way to prevent the occurrence of presenteeism and means of maintaining health, workers suggested that companies should change their organization of work, making it more human and not only thinking about productivity. They also added that companies should have more plausible and less abusive production goals, control the frequency and time of going to the bathroom, and improve the maintenance of equipment and physical spaces (sanitize carpets, air conditioning filters, chairs, etc.), among others.