How to deal with excessive absenteeism in the workplace

What is absenteeism in the workplace? 

Absenteeism is something that all companies face. The impact on this can at time severely disrupt business. Studies have shown that there are certain work conditions that lead to excessive absenteeism at work. They include chronic disease and mental illnesses, no motivation, family affairs and even harassment.  

The negative consequences of absenteeism entail lost productivity. relevant administrative costs, and other employees’ morale among others. Therefore, as any business employer, it is very important to understand how to get your company prepared for unexpected absenteeism in the workplace and how to effectively manage leave or sickness absence of your employees.  

Here are some actions you can take to achieve it: 

1. Devise an easy-to-understand policy of absence 

The policy has to fairly treat all of your employees and consist of the announcement procedure, the objective of return-to-work interviews and any purposes of disciplinary action.    

2. Keep track of absenteeism of employees 

Without recording absenteeism of employees, you will not be able to succeed at minimising them. No complicated processes are necessary. As a small to mid-sized company, an Excel spreadsheet or Google Sheets that records absences of each and every employee are adequate.  

3. Arrange return-to-work interviews 

Return-to-work interviews help you discover any actual reasons of absences and prevent any unimportant absences, while equipping you with plans of action to keep future absences of your employees at minimum. 

4. Give your employees flexible working hours 

If your team members have the flexibility of time and venue to work, their wellbeing can get better and the level of absenteeism can also be lessened. Not only does flexible working mean remote working at home or part-time working hours, but it also includes a prolonged period of unpaid leave to offer your staff more time to handle their illnesses more effectively. 

5. Keep an eye on the effects on other staff members 

When an employee takes a sick leave especially for a long time or on a regular basis, other team members can sometimes get loose and follow the person’s behavior, which can impact their own wellness. Your team managers or supervisors must keep track of the effects of the sick leave on other employees and always make sure that no individuals have underappreciated and overwhelming feelings.  

6. Set up workplace wellbeing programs 

Both managers and their colleagues can get many useful takeaways including ways to handle physical and mental health problems at work and subsequently enhance their wellbeing from these wellbeing training sessions, which in turn would lead to a lower level of absenteeism. 

Takeaway 

Absenteeism can happen but it is important to understand how strong disciplinary enforcement, effective communication and well-prepared workplace wellbeing training for staff can help you lower the negative impact of absenteeism of employees for your company.