The Elements of an Effective Absence Management
Since absenteeism has an alarming effect on businesses’ costs, there should be an effective system to regulate it; and this is why it is a must to inject absence management -- a program established to control absences caused by untoward happenings or diseases, concentrated on regulating unexplained, abrupt, or excessive absenteeism.
For absence management to be efficient, first, the causes or reasons for absences should be identified. In this way, the work force behind this program will have a good basis on developing appropriate rules or policies that the employees would gladly yield into.
According to studies, the main causes of absences are health and lifestyle: the innate or acquired sicknesses or diseases, the not-so good habits people do, such as smoking or drinking; the activities they overlook like exercising or eating healthily. But since sicknesses and injuries are inevitable, it is important to take into account these occurrences and have a special program that promotes health and safety.
It is likewise essential to recognize day off or official leave from work if employees are truly unable to report to work and perform because they are ill. Furthermore, it is essential to offer a certain kind of support to them. This support’s main aim is to help employees get back to work faster.
Another way to impose an effective absence management policy is by communicating it well to the employees. You, as the business owner should reach a level of agreement or compromise with your employees. The first step should be: the roles, yours and theirs should be clearly defined; and the what's and when's of the procedures should be clearly included. Slim chances for misunderstandings should be avoided to prevent huge amount of additional troubles on your end and your employees’. Remember that even if you have a well organized and well planned program, if it is not communicated well, it would merely end up ineffectively.
But, it is not as if the policy will not be implemented if your employees object to it. There should be a fair way of handling things. It should be a win-win situation. After all, you can not impose something which your employees perceive as unjust.
Some absences are merely caused by the nonchalance to report to work, that is why an organized culture of attendance should also be inculcated in your employees’ minds. Create a program that would encourage devotion to one’s work. If they genuinely recognize and feel the responsibility, commitment, and need of good attendance, the rate of absenteeism will surely decrease and decelerate dramatically.
One way for them to develop such devotion is the way they are being treated in the work place, by you, your system, or by your other employees. Make the working place a safe and an ideal place; somewhere they would gladly be in everyday. Remember that the key to a successful absence management is not attained through rules, restrictions, or policies alone. Your program, as much as it is clear and organized, it should also have a heart.