Lassiduité

Lassiduité is a neologism used in francophone discourse to describe a paradoxical state in which individuals maintain regular presence (assiduité) while experiencing fatigue or waning motivation (lassitude). The term is most often applied in discussions of education and the workplace to denote situations where attendance remains high but engagement or performance are diminished.

Etymology and usage

The word is a blend of lassitude and assiduité. Its usage is not standardized and varies across sources, but it is commonly employed to draw attention to the gap between showing up and being effectively engaged. It is sometimes discussed in parallel with concepts such as burnout, fatigue, and presenteeism, and is often invoked to highlight how structural factors—heavy workloads, repetitive tasks, or insufficient recovery—can compel presence without guaranteeing quality or vitality.

Implications and measurement

In schools, lassiduité may describe students who attend classes regularly but participate little, complete limited work, or rely on rote compliance. In workplaces, it can refer to employees who arrive on time but feel exhausted, disengaged, or produce lower-quality work. The concept is used to discuss risks for long-term well-being, motivation, and productivity, and to justify interventions aimed at reducing fatigue, improving job design, and providing adequate rest and support. Measurement typically combines attendance records with engagement or performance indicators and qualitative observations to detect mismatches between presence and contribution.

Critiques and context

Some critics view lassiduité as a rhetorical device that overemphasizes attendance at the expense of meaningful engagement, while supporters argue it helps diagnose burnout-related dynamics and informs more humane organizational and educational policies.

See also: assiduité, lassitude, presenteeism, absenteeism, engagement.