ARC Awards Future Fellowship to Dr Aleksandra Luksyte to Investigate Workplace Presenteeism

Congratulations to SOBA member Dr Aleksandra Luksyte from the UWA Business School at The University of Western Australia, who has been awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship.

Dr Luksyte has received $1,322,733 in funding over four years for her project, Unpacking the Costs and Unexpected Benefits of Sickness and Motivational Presenteeism at Work.

Her research addresses presenteeism—where employees attend work while impaired by physical or mental ill-health, or low motivation—a widespread challenge affecting approximately 58 per cent of Australian workers. Dr Luksyte’s fellowship focuses on understanding the underlying drivers of presenteeism, particularly among women and racially diverse workers, many of whom are overqualified for their positions.

Through this project, Dr Luksyte will examine why presenteeism may heighten risks of workplace ostracism for minority employees, while also exploring potential protective social outcomes, such as mitigating workplace loneliness. Ultimately, the project will generate actionable frameworks to help Australian organisations minimise the health and productivity costs of presenteeism while managing its broader interpersonal dynamics.

We congratulate Dr Luksyte on achieving this significant national recognition and look forward to the impact her research will have on workplace well-being and organisational practice.