Three Overlooked Health Factors That Quietly Undermine Productivity — & What They Cost Your Business (Plus How To Fix Them)

Dr Claire Gillvray

Written By Dr Claire Gillvray, Welbeck Cambridge (2026)

When productivity falls, organisations tend to look first at strategy, skills, incentives, or culture. Health is often considered only when sickness absences rise or insurance costs spike. In clinical practice, however, I routinely see a different reality: productivity is frequently eroded long before employees are “ill enough” to be absent.

The true cost lies in presenteeism, employees who are physically present but cognitively depleted...