Absenteeism in the workplace is a growing problem for employers, HR departments, and even employees. If you’ve worked in a management position, then you’ve probably had to deal with absenteeism at some point. While it is normal for people to experience issues at home or illness which keep them from work, when it happens regularly, it can become a huge issue for the company and the rest of the team. Below, we’ve come up with a few tips to help employers understand absenteeism and find ways to reduce its impact in the workplace.

Have a Clear Attendance Policy and Establish Your Expectations

Have a clear attendance policy that explains how to report absences. Whether this means contacting you directly or having a centralized employee call-in number, there should be a consistent process for recording absences. You’ll also need to ensure that everyone is aware of how the company will follow up on repeated absences or excessive absenteeism.

Be Empathetic and Provide Support

Most people are absent from work for good reasons, such as bereavement or a mental health issue. As a management, you should be empathetic and provide support for employees when they are off work and when they return. This type of support will encourage them to return to work and feel a sense of loyalty to the company. Provide flexible working options where possible to discourage absenteeism. If people can strike a good work-life balance, they’ll be less likely to take advantage.

Encourage Communication

Be approachable and encourage your employees to speak up about any issues they may have. Communication helps keep employees motivated, so provide effective feedback on a regular basis. Constructive appraisals will show workers that you value them and their efforts. This feedback can also give your employees something to work towards, and they’ll feel a sense of satisfaction when they achieve these goals.

Reduce Workplace Stress

One of the main reasons people feel the need to be absent from work is stress. Do what you can to reduce workplace stress, such as ensuring that all equipment is fully functional and disputes are appropriately rectified. Ensure that workers aren’t expected to work a great deal of overtime, and that deadlines are reasonable. Implement programs for workplace health and well-being that prioritize your employees’ physical and mental health. This will demonstrate how much you value your employees and how you aren’t solely driven by profit.

Reward Good Work and Attendance

Finding ways to reward those with good attendance is a great way to encourage people not to take time off work unnecessarily. A small reward can show employees how much you value their work and also provide an example to those around them. You’ll have to tread carefully here, as some employees may have completely valid reasons for being absent from work.

Absenteeism costs companies dearly, and can reduce team morale, which is why it shouldn’t be normalized. While it isn’t an easy problem to address, as a manager, you will need to strike a balance between being empathetic and reasonable while also maintaining strict standards. It is important to realise and acknowledge legitimate reasons for having to be away from work, but you need to ensure that this doesn’t become a regular occurrence.