There has been a recent rise in employee absenteeism and employee dissatisfaction that is negatively affecting several aspects of the workplace, including employee engagement, morale, loyalty, and productivity, among others.
A recent CareerBuilder study showed that 40% of workers who called in sick were lying, and nearly 30% of those who had time off in a fiscal year still felt the need to lie about being sick in order to take more time off.
While employers might be quick to start making a list of rules regarding absenteeism, taking a strict approach may be missing the point. What industry leaders are beginning to recognize is a fundamental problem that has to do with chronic stress, burnout, and employee dissatisfaction, which all contribute to growing absenteeism rates.
This article will outline how employers can begin to address the real problems with employee absenteeism and combat absenteeism effectively.
When we talk about employee absenteeism and presenteeism in the workplace, we’re not talking about the occasional sick day or “emergency” notice. We’re talking about the widespread tendency that the corporate world is seeing regarding the drop in employee attendance without valid excuses.
Increased employee absenteeism contributes negatively to the workplace in the following ways:
There are concrete negative effects to employee absenteeism, but it’s important to remember that absenteeism is a symptom of a deeper and more serious issue. When your employees feel the need to lie to take days off, it’s a good indication that employee satisfaction and wellbeing are on the decline, and it’s up to you to reverse that trend.
The best way to fix absenteeism is to address the source. Employees who are healthy, happy, recharged, and connected will naturally feel less inclined to take unwarranted days off. Below are some concrete and practical steps to start combating absenteeism in the workplace today.
If there are any advantages of absenteeism, it’s that employers have a clear indication of the health, wellbeing, and happiness of their employees. How employees behave, how productive they are, and how present they are in the workplace are all indicators as to how well employers are doing at creating a vibrant work culture.
If employers are going to retain their workers and allow their company to thrive, they need to invest in the wellbeing of their employees and create an inclusive workplace for everyone.
When workers are overworked, stressed, and burnt out, it’s hard for them to take the space they need to rest and recharge. That’s why wellbeing programs, like Grokker, have created stand-alone platforms that help employees take charge of their life and their wellbeing, anytime and anywhere.
Grokker helps employees achieve their fitness, nutrition, and other wellbeing goals while simultaneously connecting them to a community of wellbeing experts and other workers.
An investment in the health and wellbeing of your employees is an investment in the health and wellbeing of your company. Click here to try a Grokker demo today.