Employee Absenteeism – Introduction
Employee Absenteeism is an issue that directly affects the productivity of the company. If this problem is not addressed and regulated at the right time, it tends to cause adverse effects on the working mechanism of an enterprise.
In this article, we will discuss what Employee Absenteeism is, and how we can tackle it to stop its inimical repercussions.
What Is Employee Absenteeism?
Employee absenteeism refers to the continual lack of attendance of an employee or a set of employees. This lack is not supported with a valid reason and results in lowering the efficiency of the workforce.
While Employee Absenteeism refers to the frequent absence of employees, this absenteeism does not include instances like accidents, illness, or situations that can not be controlled.
How to Deal with Employee Absenteeism?
Employee Absenteeism is a serious issue that requires proper attention, time, and planning. Once you start overlooking the issue, it might become a habit and would ultimately affect the overall productivity of the enterprise.
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It is therefore important to constantly work on the problem and improve the percentage of employee presence in the workspace.
Given below are some of the ways in which Employee Absenteeism can be reduced :
Establish an Employee Attendance Policy
It is necessary to formulate a comprehensive Employee Attendance Policy. This policy must include information regarding sick leaves, late attendance, emergency leaves, and consequences of frequent absenteeism.
It should include all information with regards to the confusion and grievances that an employee can face concerning their absence and attendance.
With an official policy, the manager can inculcate standard decorum in the workspace which further promotes discipline and commitment towards the company.
While formulating the policy, the manager should keep all aspects, situations, laws, and company guidelines in mind. The policy can be updated from time to time, depending upon the changes and upgrades in the workplace.
Work on the execution of your policy.
Once you have formulated a policy, it is equally important to implement it thoughtfully. It is important to ensure that the employees have gone through the policy and are aware of it.
Companies can organize briefing sessions for employees and allocate some time to let them comprehend it and inquire about the same. The rules must be equal for all and everyone in the office including the manager must adhere to them.
In the case of advanced Attendance Management Software like Juntrax that offers employee self-service, the admin must give a demo session to their employees. They must be given a walk-through and at the same time, they must be encouraged to ask questions without hesitation.
In case of prolonged absenteeism, the manager must conduct a follow-up session with the employee and explain the consequences that can prevail from continual absenteeism.
Track Employee Absence
Employee absence is a significant factor that is considered while assessing the overall performance of an employee. It affects their productivity and expresses their commitment towards their job and the company. It, therefore, becomes vital for managers to keep note of employee absenteeism.
Unlike the tedious manual method of tracking, calculating, and documenting employee attendance, there is software like Juntrax that acts as a convenient and smart alternative.
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Juntrax provides an employee portal with an option for employees to ‘clock in’ and ‘clock out’ on their workdays. The software automatically calculates the work duration of every employee and maintains a record of it.
Managers must keep track of these records and inform their employees that their attendance will impact their prospects for promotions, increments, and incentives.
Get to the root of the issue
In case of recurring absenteeism or detection of an unhealthy absence pattern, the manager must point it out and discuss it with their employees. Form a proper document and communicate your concerns. Inquire about their problem and maintain a comfortable environment where they can express their concerns and talk to you about their problems.
For parents or caretakers of the family, it might be a challenge to maintain their work and personal life. In such cases, you can assist them with an alternative schedule or different work hours. Understanding on your part and the will to help your employees can create a positive work environment and encourage the employee to show more dedication and commitment towards their work.
Happy employees are the key to a successful workspace and this can be gained through transparent communication and healthy relationships.
Address and encourage good performance
Addressing good performance can be one of the most effective ways of encouraging employees. While you invest your time in detecting employees with high absenteeism rate, it is equally important to compliment and recognize the ones with regular attendance.
Companies can also allocate budgets for employee incentives and conduct monthly or annual meetings to compliment employees with a low absenteeism rate.
Conclusion
Employee Absenteeism is an issue that can not be resolved overnight. It requires proper planning and implementation of policies, protocols, and work culture. Companies need to build transparent communication regarding attendance patterns, absences, and outcomes.
It is essential to address good attendance and discuss the reasons for the lack of regularity. With high-quality assistance in Attendance Management from software like Juntrax, companies can build a healthy and prosperous workforce.