When a staff member misses work, efficiency suffers. The company’s revenue dips, and other employees have to assume added responsibilities. This can lead to low morale and tensions between colleagues. In the end, the company loses money, which could have helped scale up the business. To help reduce employee absenteeism, below are measures HR can take.
1. Understand the Reasons for Absenteeism
Dealing with absenteeism at work begins with knowing the cause. You can then develop strategies that address these concerns and provide long-lasting solutions. Although every situation is different, common causes of absenteeism include sickness, stress, burnout, boredom, harassment and bullying, family-related issues, job dissatisfaction and job hunting.
Tackle the issues within the company’s control by fixing negative aspects that fuel employee absence. For cases beyond the company’s jurisdiction, such as illness, provide support wherever possible to show that you care about employee’s needs.
2. Create a Positive Working Environment
You need to create a workplace culture where employees look forward to working. Avoid treating your workforce as nothing more than instruments for accomplishing the company’s bottom line. Employees who are valued and feel appreciated will be motivated to report to work, knowing they matter. They also enjoy higher job satisfaction and will remain loyal when their needs are considered. Below are ways you can improve workplace culture and create a positive working experience for your staff.
- Improving employee engagement
- Supporting employee wellness and mental health
- Rewarding attendance
- Creating a work-life balance to improve employee well-being through flexible work schedules and retreats
- Encouraging open and consistent communication
Working in a job they like means your personnel won’t voluntarily skip work unless necessary. In an ideal work environment, they also won’t be afraid to provide prior notice and reasons for their absence. This provides room for proper planning and less interference with the company’s operations.
3. Maintain a Strict Employee Absence Policy
Laws and regulations keep everything in order and running smoothly. Come up with an employee absence policy that will keep staff members in check. This policy should succinctly communicate attendance expectations and the consequences for absence or lateness.
Make sure everyone is on the same page regarding the policy to avoid confusion and misinformation. It should also apply equally to everyone and be enforced without favoritism. By ensuring no one is special when it comes to policy implementation, employees will take it seriously.
4. Implement a Simple Employee Call-Off System
You are better off dealing with a planned absence than having to make last-minute adjustments to cover for employee absence. In situations where one is unable to report to work, provide a simple system or procedure to make employee call-offs much easier. Remember, workers will likely not communicate if the call-off process is tedious and complicated.
There is no use in implementing a call-off system that no one knows how to use, so ensure the staff is familiar and on board with whatever system you put in place. This way, the call-off system will optimally serve its intended purpose.
Endnote
Dealing with employee absenteeism requires an approach that addresses underlying causes and prevents future occurrences. The above tips will help you create a culture that not only abhors absenteeism but also motivates employees to do their best.
