Employee absenteeism can be incredibly frustrating. Of course, in most cases, it is justified, yet this does not stop it from putting projects behind and costing your company money. However, this is not something you should simply accept. There are a number of different steps you should follow to reduce employee absenteeism. So, let’s take a look…
Create a pleasing working environment – The first thing you need to do is make sure that the working environment is a pleasant one. From coffee machines to ergonomic workstations, there are a number of ways you can make the office a better place to be in. Did you know that back issues are one of the most common reasons why workers do not turn up?
Provide employee support – In a lot of cases, an employee may be absent a lot because they are experiencing problems at home. This could be a financial problem or it could be because one of their family members is ill. Whatever the reason, offering support can be more beneficial than taking the hard line.
Ensure they have healthy snacks – One of the reasons for high absenteeism levels is because employees get sick easily. You can combat this by having healthy snacks on offer. There are plenty of catering services that are designed for businesses, offering everything from salad and fruit bowls to savoury and sandwich platters. By having healthy snacks available, you can make sure your employees get the vitamins and nutrients they need throughout the day, rather than relying on unhealthy snacks and fast food.
Reward good attendance – Needless to say, you should not have to reward good attendance. This should be expected. However, it is a good way to encourage attendance from all employees. For example, if workers do not have any unplanned absences for a period, you could reward them by giving them an extra few days holiday throughout the following 12 months, or you could provide another perk.
Set clear attendance expectations – You need to make your expectations regarding attendance crystal clear. All employees should be aware of what is expected from them in terms of attendance. They should also know the process that is in place should they need to take time off work, for example, how to notify the company, which employee to contact, and so on. You should also make sure that there is a written attendance policy for all staff members to refer to if needed. This will ensure the lines never get blurred.
As you can see, there are a number of different ways that you can reduce employee absenteeism. From helping your workforce to have a healthy day-to-day life to providing a pleasant working environment, a few small changes can definitely go a long way.
