Perfectionist leaders push employees to work while ill, research finds

Employees who saw their leaders as perfectionists were more likely to face work-family conflict and work while ill, according to research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).

Researchers said demanding leadership could drain employees’ time, energy and emotional resources.

UEA stated that this could leave workers with less capacity for family responsibilities and increase stress at work and home.

Annilee Game, professor at UEA’s Norwich Business School, said: “While the link between leader characteristics and employee wellbeing is well known, we uncovered what connects leader perfectionism to presenteeism.

“Our study is among the first to show how leaders’ unrealistic expectations can fuel work-family conflict, driving employees to work even when unwell.”

Ana Sanz Vergel, professor at UEA’s Norwich Business School, said: “This study reveals the powerful influence of leadership and the blurred boundary between work and home.

“Leaders’ perfectionistic expectations spill over into employees’ home lives, making it harder for them to cope with family demand, and the consequences are substantial.

“Conflict between the work and family domains depletes employees’ energy to the point that they lack the resources to engage in health-protective coping strategies.”