5 Ways to reduce absenteeism at work!

Employee absences do carry a major cost for many employers. 75% of HR professionals say employee absences have a large impact on revenue and productivity according to study by Kronos and SHRM.

Here are 5 ways to reduce absenteeism at work:

1.       Bring in flexibility to workplace

Implementing policies that allow employees some flexibility will gain the rewards in terms of increased productivity. Flexibility in work place allows employees to be involved in extracurricular, personal demands (family & appointments) while having the opportunity of getting a complete day’s work done. Flexibility can reduce stress and promote goodwill between management and employees.

2.       Promote a fair and welcoming environment

Some employees might not show up to work because of the fear of being harassed or bullied. An employer needs to do everything to ensure that the environment is welcoming. Employers must ensure the corporate culture supports integrity and fairness- which means having complaint processing procedures. HR must also ensure that employees do not violate workplace policies.

3.       Encouraging workplace wellness programs

Employee health and wellness can be invaluable in reducing absenteeism and health care costs. According to the US department of labour, 3.5 million workers missed work in January 2015 due to illnesses, injuries or medical appointments. In addition worker absences tend to increase due to seasonal illnesses, such as the prevalence’s of flu. A sick employee may run the risk of infecting co-workers which would compound any overall productivity shortfall. Employers must implement wellness programs to practice and advice employees.

4.       Promote safety

Work place safety for employees should be a priority in any organisation especially if the organisation wishes to protect the bottom line. No employees or their families must suffer due to avoidable dangers at work place. Having a safe workplace adds value to company as well.

5.       Formal attendance policy

Attendance expected from employees must be communicated firmly. This policy becomes a measure for good performance. Employees should understand how often is acceptable to have unplanned absence and how many times of missing work crosses a performance line and what consequences will be for excessive absenteeism.

Reference: http://www.rospa.com/occupational-safety/advice/small-firms/pack/why-important/