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How to Deal with Employee Absenteeism
Do you have several employees who seem to be out more than others? It can cause workflow problems and undermine the morale of the other employees. But this pattern of behavior will not end unless you address it promptly and firmly. Here are several tips for dealing with employee absenteeism.
* Educate your employees. Provide them with a written policy concerning sick/personal days and take the time to explain it verbally. Don't assume that employees will understand the rules without any clarification.
* Monitor attendance closely. Keep a log on a spreadsheet showing which employees are absent or tardy. Ask for reasons for such behavior and include them in the log. This will keep you attuned to any developing situations.
* Provide private counseling when necessary. An employee may be experiencing a problem that deserves special attention. Keep a record of any private meetings for your human resources files.
* Follow up with employees. Don't ignore the problems or let them continue to fester. This may require periodic meetings with employees who are habitually out of work.
* Take appropriate measures. If the problems continue, you should start the corrective process, including providing warnings (both verbal and written) and suspension or probation before termination.
The worst thing you can do about employee absenteeism is ignore it. If you don't already have a policy in place, it's time to formulate a plan.