Reducing Absenteeism - 11 September 2007

Employees calling in sick when they're not really sick is just like the problem schools face with truancy. In both scenarios, people would rather be somewhere else. The question to answer is why. The reasons why kids skip class are the same reasons why employees skip work. Understanding these reasons helps us to slash absenteeism. Boredom: Kids miss school when they lose interest in the curriculum. At work, the more repetitive and mundane the tasks, the more likely you'll experience unplanned absenteeism. Every job in every industry can be spiced up so that it's more enriching.

Poor Relationships: Children are reluctant to go to school when they perceive unfairness and a lack of respect from their teachers. Likewise, in the absence of a management team that genuinely cares for its employees, staff will call in sick. Get to know them personally.

Irrelevance: Kids don't want anything to do with school if they can't clearly see the impact it'll have on their lives. At work, employees must understand the significance of what they do and its effect on the company. Give them meaningful work, and consider their personal goals as important as yours, and you'll win them over.

Bullying: It could be that someone at school, or at work, is so intimidating that it makes people feel more comfortable staying at home. Be on the lookout for unusual changes in employee behaviour that may imply they're being harassed.

Personal Problems: Deep-seated family and personal issues prevent kids from committing to the school system - the same thing happens in the workplace. Implement a robust staff counselling systems and go out of your way to be a work/life balance leader in your company.

Truancy is the first sign that a student is in trouble, and if left untreated, often leads to high school drop-outs. Likewise, fake workplace absenteeism is the first sign that an employee is disengaged, and if left untreated, often leads to workplace drop-outs: early resignations.

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