When it comes to a company’s success, its employees are the backbone. They are the ones who carry out the day-to-day tasks and operations that keep the business running smoothly. Without them, a company would quickly crumble.
That’s why it’s so important to invest in your employees and create a work environment that fosters their growth and development. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to be productive and engaged in their work. They are also more likely to stay with the company for the long haul, saving money on turnover costs.
One of the biggest drains on a company’s productivity is employee absenteeism. When employees are frequently absent, it disrupts the workflow and negatively impacts morale. It also increases a company’s costs over time. It might not be as big as turnover costs, but it’s still a huge problem among many companies.
What is Employee Absenteeism?
Employee absenteeism is defined as an employee’s habitual or intentional refusal to show up for work. It can be a one-time thing, but if it happens frequently, it becomes a problem. There are many reasons why employees might be absent from work. Some might have personal issues that they need to deal with, while others might simply not be motivated to come to work.
No matter the reason, employee absenteeism is a significant drag on productivity. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the cost of lost productivity due to absenteeism is billions of dollars per year. That’s a vast amount of money that could be used to invest in the company in other ways.
There are a few ways to combat employee absenteeism. The first is by looking into the problems that surround it.
Research and Find Out the Cause
The first step to combating employee absenteeism is to find out the root problem. There could be many reasons why your employees are absent from work frequently.
Here are a few reasons why employees choose to be absent at work:
Depression
Depression is one of the leading reasons employees choose to be absent at work. When one is depressed, it’s hard to concentrate or perform well at work. Depression can also lead to a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, including work. Getting a counselor in your office can help decrease these chances.
Allergies and Asthma
Millions of Americans suffer from allergies and asthma. These conditions can make it hard to breathe, which can lead to absenteeism. If you have employees with these conditions, it’s important to create a work environment as free from indoor allergens as possible. This includes things like dust, pollen, and pet dander. Getting a cleaning service every month should help alleviate this problem.
Boring Work
If your employees are absent because they find their work boring, then it might be time to spice things up a bit. This includes changing the way work is assigned and making sure that each employee has tasks that interest them. You can also try to make the workplace itself more fun and inviting.
If none of these things are common in your workplace, then you should consider researching the root cause of the problem. There are a few ways to go about this. You can talk to your employees directly and ask them why they’re absent so often.
Employee Engagement
Talking with your employees can help you find out the root cause of their absenteeism. It can also help increase employee engagement. When employees feel like they’re a part of something larger and their voices are being heard, they’re more likely to be engaged in their work. This helps reduce absenteeism because employees are more likely to want to come to work when they feel valued.
Creating a system where employees can give feedback anonymously is a great way to get honest feedback. You can also conduct surveys or focus groups. These are all great ways to get to the root of the problem and find out why your employees are absent so often.
Once you know the reason why your employees are absent, you can start to come up with a solution.
Provide Incentives
One way to combat employee absenteeism is by providing incentives for employees who show up to work regularly. This could be in gift cards, paid time off, or even extra vacation days. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that will motivate your employees to show up to work.
You could also try a point system where employees earn points every day they come to work. Once they reach a certain number of points, they can redeem them for prizes. This is a great way to increase attendance and decrease absenteeism.
No matter the reason, employee absenteeism is a huge drag on productivity. If you want to decrease absenteeism in your workplace, you need to find out the root cause of the problem. Once you know the reason, you can start to come up with a solution.
