Absenteeism: Causes and What You Can Do About It
In any workplace, absenteeism can be a significant challenge, affecting productivity, morale, and overall business performance. It is also disruptive, as colleagues can be left to pick up an absent teammate’s workload, often on short notice.
A study conducted in 2017 showed that Malaysian employers lose 67 days a year due to absenteeism, due to part to poor health and stress factors. Another 2017 study, this time conducted in Singapore, indicated that productivity loss due to health-related absenteeism could hit S$3.3 billion by 2030.
Absenteeism refers to the frequent or prolonged absence of employees from work without a valid reason. It can be a result of various factors such as illness, personal problems, lack of job satisfaction, or even low employee engagement.
In this article, we will delve into what absenteeism entails and explore effective strategies that employers can adopt to tackle this issue head-on.
Understanding Absenteeism
Absenteeism can manifest in different forms, including unplanned absences, sick leave, and extended periods of leave without justification. It is crucial for employers to distinguish between genuine cases of absence due to illness or personal reasons and instances of unexcused absenteeism. Regular absenteeism can disrupt workflow, disrupt team dynamics, increase workload for others, and lead to decreased productivity.
Calculating Absenteeism Rates
The following formula is used to calculate an employee’s absentee rate:
For example, Bob has two unexcused absences over the course of one working month (26 working days). Hence, using the above formula, his absentee rate is 2 divided by 26, multiplied by 100% to get an absentee rate of 7.7%.
What Causes Absenteeism
Several factors contribute to absenteeism within the workplace. These may include:
- Health-related issues: Frequent illnesses, chronic health conditions, or mental health concerns can result in increased absenteeism.
- Work-related stress: High-stress environments, excessive workload, poor work-life balance, or job dissatisfaction can lead to higher levels of absenteeism.
- Lack of engagement: Employees who feel disconnected from their work or lack motivation may be more likely to be absent.
- Personal reasons: Family obligations, childcare responsibilities, or personal emergencies can also contribute to absenteeism.
How You Can Combat Absenteeism
Employers play a crucial role in mitigating absenteeism and creating a positive work environment. Here are some effective strategies that can be employed:
Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Encourage flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flexible hours, to help employees manage personal obligations effectively.
Implement Wellness Programs
Provide resources and initiatives that promote physical and mental well-being. This can include gym memberships, counseling services, stress management workshops, or yoga classes.
Foster a Supportive Workplace Culture
Encourage open communication, provide opportunities for employee feedback, and ensure that employees feel valued and supported in their roles.
Recognize and Reward Employees
Acknowledge and appreciate employees' contributions through regular recognition programs, performance bonuses, or career advancement opportunities. Recognized employees are more likely to remain engaged and committed to their work.
Provide Development Opportunities
Offer training programs and career development opportunities that help employees enhance their skills and knowledge, leading to increased job satisfaction and engagement.
Strengthen Communication Channels
Ensure that communication between management and employees is clear, transparent, and consistent. Regularly update employees on organizational changes, policies, and upcoming events.
Monitor and Address Workplace Stress
Regularly assess workloads and identify potential areas of excessive stress. Provide resources for stress management and offer support to employees facing challenging situations.
Establish Clear Leave Policies
Develop comprehensive leave policies that outline procedures for reporting absences, medical documentation requirements, and any consequences for unauthorized absences.
Listen to Your Employees
To understand what your employees are facing, you need to listen to their concerns by using pulse surveys, or by periodically conducting interviews to understand their job satisfaction levels. This can help identify potential issues and implement appropriate solutions in a timely manner.
Manage Absences Effectively with BrioHR
Absenteeism can have a detrimental impact on the overall functioning of a workplace, affecting productivity and employee morale. By implementing the strategies outlined above, employers can reduce absenteeism and foster a positive work environment that promotes employee well-being, engagement, and satisfaction.
Another tool that employers can use for absence and leave entitlements is HR software. With BrioHR’s leave module, you can calculate leave balances accurately, as well as keep track of the various types of leave (sick leave, annual leave etc).
With a secure, scalable platform, BrioHR’s software covers the entire employee journey from recruitment to onboarding, payroll and claims, to performance and analytics, and more.
This enables business owners and HR teams to truly focus on what matters most – people.
Visit briohr.com and get a free demo now.
In any workplace, absenteeism can be a significant challenge, affecting productivity, morale, and overall business performance. It is also disruptive, as colleagues can be left to pick up an absent teammate’s workload, often on short notice.
A study conducted in 2017 showed that Malaysian employers lose 67 days a year due to absenteeism, due to part to poor health and stress factors. Another 2017 study, this time conducted in Singapore, indicated that productivity loss due to health-related absenteeism could hit S$3.3 billion by 2030.
Absenteeism refers to the frequent or prolonged absence of employees from work without a valid reason. It can be a result of various factors such as illness, personal problems, lack of job satisfaction, or even low employee engagement.
In this article, we will delve into what absenteeism entails and explore effective strategies that employers can adopt to tackle this issue head-on.
Understanding Absenteeism
Absenteeism can manifest in different forms, including unplanned absences, sick leave, and extended periods of leave without justification. It is crucial for employers to distinguish between genuine cases of absence due to illness or personal reasons and instances of unexcused absenteeism. Regular absenteeism can disrupt workflow, disrupt team dynamics, increase workload for others, and lead to decreased productivity.
Calculating Absenteeism Rates
The following formula is used to calculate an employee’s absentee rate:
For example, Bob has four unexcused absences over the course of one working month (26 working days). Hence, his absentee rate is:
What Causes Absenteeism
Several factors contribute to absenteeism within the workplace. These may include:
- Health-related issues: Frequent illnesses, chronic health conditions, or mental health concerns can result in increased absenteeism.
- Work-related stress: High-stress environments, excessive workload, poor work-life balance, or job dissatisfaction can lead to higher levels of absenteeism.
- Lack of engagement: Employees who feel disconnected from their work or lack motivation may be more likely to be absent.
- Personal reasons: Family obligations, childcare responsibilities, or personal emergencies can also contribute to absenteeism.
How You Can Combat Absenteeism
Employers play a crucial role in mitigating absenteeism and creating a positive work environment. Here are some effective strategies that can be employed:
Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Encourage flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flexible hours, to help employees manage personal obligations effectively.
Implement Wellness Programs
Provide resources and initiatives that promote physical and mental well-being. This can include gym memberships, counseling services, stress management workshops, or yoga classes.
Foster a Supportive Workplace Culture
Encourage open communication, provide opportunities for employee feedback, and ensure that employees feel valued and supported in their roles.
Recognize and Reward Employees
Acknowledge and appreciate employees’ contributions through regular recognition programs, performance bonuses, or career advancement opportunities. Recognized employees are more likely to remain engaged and committed to their work.
Provide Development Opportunities
Offer training programs and career development opportunities that help employees enhance their skills and knowledge, leading to increased job satisfaction and engagement.
Strengthen Communication Channels
Ensure that communication between management and employees is clear, transparent, and consistent. Regularly update employees on organizational changes, policies, and upcoming events.
Monitor and Address Workplace Stress
Regularly assess workloads and identify potential areas of excessive stress. Provide resources for stress management and offer support to employees facing challenging situations.
Establish Clear Leave Policies
Develop comprehensive leave policies that outline procedures for reporting absences, medical documentation requirements, and any consequences for unauthorized absences.
Listen to Your Employees
To understand what your employees are facing, you need to listen to their concerns by using pulse surveys, or by periodically conducting interviews to understand their job satisfaction levels. This can help identify potential issues and implement appropriate solutions in a timely manner.
Manage Absences Effectively with BrioHR
Absenteeism can have a detrimental impact on the overall functioning of a workplace, affecting productivity and employee morale. By implementing the strategies outlined above, employers can reduce absenteeism and foster a positive work environment that promotes employee well-being, engagement, and satisfaction.
Another tool that employers can use for absence and leave entitlements is HR software. With BrioHR’s leave module, you can calculate leave balances accurately, as well as keep track of the various types of leave (sick leave, annual leave etc).
With a secure, scalable platform, BrioHR’s software covers the entire employee journey from recruitment to onboarding, payroll and claims, to performance and analytics, and more.
This enables business owners and HR teams to truly focus on what matters most – people.
Visit briohr.com and get a free demo now.
