According to the CBI/Pfizer ‘Fit for purpose’ report absence from work costs the economy £14 billion a year and whilst overall absence rates have dropped year on year the costs of non-genuine sickness is estimated to cost £1.8 billion.
Short term absences continue to account for the majority of absence, with an average of 5.3 days per employee lost. Given the significant impact of absence in the workplace; not only from a direct cost perspective but from productivity and a morale perspective it is essential employers are primed to measure and manage sickness absence effectively.
Employers need to review carefully their strategy and policy for managing sickness absence but must also consider ways to measure engagement and develop an employee engagement strategy.
Reviewing the reasons for absence in the workplace will help determine the solutions the employer should adopt. A ‘return to work’ interview is key to establishing the reason for a period of absence and the introduction of a Family Care policy will help manage time off taken for dependent care.
Engaged, motivated and recognised employees are found to take less time off than those in low engagement companies so employers should no longer solely tackle absenteeism but should ensure a similar focus on engagement.
Listen to our contribution on improving attendance aired on BBC Radio Nottingham:
