Three Key Opportunities to Reduce Workplace Absenteeism

Posted on

December 27th, 2016

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shutterstock_227384539 - CopyMany employee absences are inevitable, such as when an employee catches the flu. However, chronic absenteeism is another issue altogether. It disrupts the flow of work and can affect the morale of other employees. Below are some strategies for employers to use to prevent excessive absenteeism.

Return-to-Work Interviews

After a prolonged absence, employers should have a face-to-face meeting with the employee. This can help them learn more about the absences to gauge whether the employee is genuine. Having an established return-to-work process can help reduce unnecessary absenteeism as well. If an employee knows they will have to account for their time off, they will be less likely to take fraudulent sick days.

Flex Scheduling

Not all individuals calling out want to miss work. Sometimes, their life situation is forcing them to take a sick day. With the appropriate accommodations, having a flexible schedule can allow the employee to complete their work without taking leave. This could include flexible start times or the ability to work from home when necessary.

Incentivize Attendance

Positive reinforcement often yields much better results than disciplinary action. For example, implementing a reward system for good attendance can reduce absenteeism. This can be something as simple as a $25 gift card for a set period of no tardiness or absences.
Handling absences can be difficult for employers. To take the guesswork out of the process, contact Actec for a custom in-house solution to meet your business’ absence management needs.