Absence

Exploring the Causes of Absence at Work and How to Overcome Them

Absenteeism costs employers billions of dollars each year — and much of this lost time can be avoided. Whether an employee has a chronic health condition, family obligations, or work-related stressors, there are steps that can be taken to manage and reduce absenteeism.

Absences can be caused by personal problems or physical illness, but the most common causes are burnout and poor work-life balance. In fact, in 2018, The Gallup Organization reported that American workers took an average of 4.4 personal days off (for any reason).

5 Causes of Employee Absence

• Job Stress: It is no surprise that the more stressed an employee is, the more likely they may be to call in sick. Job stress can be caused by long hours, too much work for too few people, erratic schedules, high production demands, and an intense work environment.
• Family Obligations: Employees may take a day off to take care of family members or take them to doctor appointments. Some companies are now offering on-site child care to help employees manage their family obligations.
• Personal Issues: Employees may take a day off to deal with personal problems, including depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.
• Flexible Schedules: Offering flexible schedules that allow employees to work from home or take time off can reduce absenteeism. Flexible schedules help employees manage their life outside of work, so they don’t have to take days off to attend to non-work commitments.
• Incentives: Offering incentives, such as gift cards or additional vacation days, for employees who maintain perfect attendance can also reduce absenteeism.

Tips for Managing Employee Absences

• Create policies around attendance and absences. Develop clear policies that outline attendance expectations and create consequences for those who violate the guidelines.
• Provide manager and employee support, so employees feel comfortable discussing their work absences. Establish an open line of communication — if employees feel like they can discuss their absences openly and honestly, they are more likely to follow the company policy.
• Train managers on how to handle employee absences. Ensuring that managers understand their role in managing attendance can help reduce absenteeism and ensure that all absences are dealt with consistently and fairly.
• Collect data on absences. Track employee absences to identify any patterns that point to a particular cause. Once the root of the problem is identified, employers can take action to reduce absenteeism.
• Encourage employees to take vacation. While absenteeism can be costly in terms of lost productivity, encouraging employees to take time off for vacations and other personal reasons can help them recharge, reduce stress, and come back to work refreshed and energized.

Managing employee absences can be difficult, but if approached strategically, employers can reduce the cost of absenteeism and increase overall employee engagement and productivity.