09/28/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/28/2021 08:38
Maybe you're the kind of business leader who prefers to create a work culture free from the corporate grind of time clocks, rules and rigid schedules. Or perhaps you don't want to be that person at your company, the one who knows exactly what time everyone gets into the office.
Yet absenteeism, without a compelling reason for it, may adversely impact your business. So, let's take a closer look at poor employee attendance.
Why you can't ignore employee absenteeism
While it's true that few business leaders relish calling out employees for being tardy or missing work, the reality is that excessive absenteeism can't be ignored. And here's why:
Your other employees can't ignore it
They're stuck picking up the slack for the missing staff member, helping with tasks they normally might not have to do. And that's stressful for employees, especially those who are already stretched to the max.
Your company's reputation is at stake
When employees aren't doing their part, the entire team may fall behind on meeting deadlines. In some cases, that could mean losing a valuable contract or earning your company a reputation for not delivering a product or service on time.
Absenteeism affects morale
Over time, the situation can breed resentment and disengagement among employees and bitterness toward you, their employer. Your employees may wonder why they work so hard, when one particular employee suffers no repercussions for his absenteeism. Or escalating bitterness could provoke an argument between problem employees and their co-workers.
Simply put, absenteeism is a big deal for business leaders. And when you consider lost productivity, morale and temporary labor costs, the price of absenteeism grows even more substantial.
The challenge of addressing poor employee attendance
If absenteeism is so problematic, why is it so hard to address? Often, business leaders just don't grasp the enormity of the issue. They don't see how excessive absenteeism affects other employees and their business until it's too late. Or they bring up the issue of absenteeism with offending employees - and take their word that they won't miss work again.
The result? When there's a lack of serious consequences for absenteeism, employees won't take it seriously.
7 steps to curbing poor employee attendance
You need a clear and consistent approach to effectively curb absenteeism. Try these 7 steps:
Summing it all up
Poor employee attendance can be a serious issue - one for which many business leaders feel unprepared to address. Yet with the above steps in mind, you'll help put the brakes on absenteeism, and potentially make your company a happier and more productive workplace.
For more tips, download our free e-book, A practical guide to managing difficult employees.