How an Absenteeism Management Plan can drive your Business Forward
Absenteeism is defined as the frequent or habitual absence of a person from their workplace. It may include persistent absences, arriving late, leaving early, or taking excessive breaks.
While employees have rights to access appropriate leave to manage illness or other reasons, when this is misused it can have detrimental impact on an organisation. In fact, it is estimated that absenteeism costs Australian employers $32.5 billion in lost wages.
The good news is, with a solid Absenteeism Management Plan, you can be on the front foot with managing frequent absences fairly and effectively - before they significantly disrupt your business.
Common Causes of Absenteeism
There is always a reason for employee absenteeism – and its rarely just laziness. Research shows mental health is a leading cause, with 21% of Australians having taken time off work in the past 12 months due to feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, or mentally unhealthy.
Sick leave entitlements are there for employees who are genuinely sick (physically or mentally), injured, or requiring carer’s leave for an immediate family member – and these can all be contributing factors.
Other underlying causes may include:
Disengagement or lack of motivation
Conflict with other team members
Feeling undervalued due to lack of positive feedback
Excessive demands and workload pressure
Inadequate support
Poor workplace culture
It is essential to identify the root cause of absenteeism so you can put a plan in place to manage the impact it has on a workplace.
How Does Absenteeism Affect a Business?
In addition to the lost wages, absenteeism can have a negative impact on the wider business, for example:
Staff burnout, with colleagues taking on too much extra workload
Low morale which can lead to high staff turnover
Decreased productivity
Further financial implications due to potential forced closures, reduced business hours, and re-hiring of staff
Common Challenges for Managing Absenteeism
If you’re a business owner or manager, you may have encountered some of these challenges:
These days, it’s very easy to take a sick day via text message or email
The Work from Home (WFH) culture can make it difficult to track absences
The post-Covid ‘Entitlement culture’, with employees feeling entitled to take time off as they wish
Lack of clarity within an organisation on whose job it is to manage absenteeism
Inadequate employee health and wellbeing support
Concerns about breaching privacy
Australians are entitled to 10 days’ rolling sick leave per annum - well above many other countries
At MJSP Management Consulting, we understand the complexities that come with managing staff absences. Our team of management consultants includes HR specialists, highly experienced and able to help you overcome these challenges and implement strategies to ensure absenteeism is handled appropriately.
Top Tips for Managing Workplace Absenteeism
Develop clear attendance policies outlining expectations and consequences for absenteeism.
Offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate unforeseen circumstances or personal needs.
Establish a formal system for tracking and monitoring employee attendance records.
Provide resources and support for employees struggling with attendance issues, such as counselling or access to Employee Assistance Programs.
Enforce attendance policies consistently and fairly across all employees.
Incorporate incentives for good attendance, such as bonuses or employee recognition programs.
Conduct regular reviews of attendance data to identify trends and potential areas for improvement.
Collaborate with managers and supervisors to address absenteeism concerns promptly and effectively.
Continuously evaluate and update absenteeism policies based on feedback and evolving workplace dynamics.
Like to learn more about how a formal Absenteeism Management Plan can assist your business with moving forward? Contact our expert management consultants today.