{"id":25570,"date":"2018-05-07T09:50:21","date_gmt":"2018-05-07T08:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=25570"},"modified":"2025-06-25T16:21:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T15:21:27","slug":"reducing-absenteeism-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/reducing-absenteeism-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Reducing Absenteeism in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Absenteeism <\/strong>is the term given when an employee is habitually and frequently absent from work. This excludes paid leave and occasions where an employer has granted an employee time off.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a manager, supervisor, or team leader, you\u2019ll have likely experienced cases of absenteeism. You should know that staff will be absent from time to time, such as for illness, jury duty, or bereavement. However, when absenteeism is frequent and excessive it begins to become a problem.<\/p>\n<p>This article offers a detailed understanding of absenteeism in the workplace. It explains what causes employee absenteeism and looks at ways to reduce it in your workplace.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Effects of Absenteeism<\/h2>\n<p>Absenteeism in the workplace affects both employers and employees alike.<\/p>\n<p>Some consequences for <strong>employers<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reduced productivity levels.<\/li>\n<li>High administration costs.<\/li>\n<li>Increased labour costs if you hire replacement temporary workers.<\/li>\n<li>Understaffing which could lead to poor customer service.<\/li>\n<li>Poor morale among colleagues. This will be particularly prevalent if employees constantly have to fill in for absent staff and if they don\u2019t see any retributions for absence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25589 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/stressed-manager-krak.jpg\" alt=\"Employee feeling stressed at work\" width=\"685\" height=\"295\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, the consequences for the <strong>absent member of staff<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loss of pay for their time off.<\/li>\n<li>Reduced productivity on their return to work due to a need to \u2018catch up\u2019.<\/li>\n<li>If absenteeism is frequent and unexplained, the member of staff could even face dismissal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Clearly, absenteeism is costly for all of the workforce, and it\u2019s important you know the causes, and strategies to reduce it, for the benefit of everyone.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tip__box\">\n<div class=\"tip__title__container\">\n<div class=\"tip__title__text\">\n<div class=\"tip__title__icon\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/expert-tip-icon.png\" alt=\"expert icon\" \/><\/div>\n<h3>Need a Course?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/courses\/business-essentials\/effective-leadership-training-course\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Effective Leadership Training<\/a> will provide employers and employees with the information they need to develop and deepen the attributes, behaviours, values and practices of effective leadership.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>What Causes Employee Absenteeism?<\/h2>\n<p>You need to understand what causes absenteeism so that you can work to reduce it. Some common reasons for absenteeism are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Bullying and harassment<\/strong> \u2013 If an employee is being bullied or harassed by someone at work, they may stay at home so they can avoid the unpleasant situation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stress and burnout<\/strong> \u2013 An employee may be stressed because of work or due to personal reasons. Whatever the reason, they may believe that being at work will only add to their stress. Furthermore, if an employee feels burnt out, they&#8217;ll feel disengaged from their work.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Care<\/strong> \u2013 If your employee is a carer, such as for an elderly relative, they may take time out of work if the dependent is ill, has appointments, or if their care arrangements fall through. This may also be the case if an employee has a dependent child.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mental health problems<\/strong> \u2013 This is of course a problem in its own right, and you must strive to make your workplace an environment in which mental health issues are discussed and supported.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Low morale<\/strong> \u2013 An employee may have low morale and lack motivation if they feel undervalued and underappreciated at work. If they feel that their work isn\u2019t appreciated, they may feel like nobody would notice if they were absent.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bereavement<\/strong> \u2013 Dealing with bereavement isn\u2019t easy, and work will be the last thing on the mind of the affected. Absence from work may be particularly longer if the death was sudden. The employee will need to grieve and may have a lot of legal matters to sort out.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Illness<\/strong> \u2013 This is the most common cause of absenteeism. It can spike at certain times, especially in winter when viruses, such as cold and flu, are widespread.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25587 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/meeting-stress-krak.jpg\" alt=\"Employee suffering from low morale in the workplace\" width=\"685\" height=\"295\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Tips to Reduce Absenteeism in the Workplace<\/h2>\n<p>After understanding the causes for absenteeism, you should then work to reduce it. Some actionable tips for this are:<\/p>\n<h4>Create a clear attendance policy and set expectations<\/h4>\n<p>Your attendance policy should explain how to report absences, the procedures in place surrounding absences, and your policy for recording absences. It should also contain information about how you will follow up on repeated absences and the repercussions for excessive absenteeism.<\/p>\n<p>You should discuss the policy with all members of staff and ask them to sign it to show their understanding.<\/p>\n<p>The policy will act as a resource to your employees about your expectations. Aim to be consistent and follow the attendance policy in all possible situations.<\/p>\n<h4>Provide support<\/h4>\n<p>If an employee is absent due to personal issues, like bereavement or mental health problems, you should provide support both when they are absent and on their return to work. Support will likely make them feel happier to return to work earlier and prevent repeated absenteeism.<\/p>\n<p>You could also consider offering your employees time off in lieu and\/or flexible working time. This will ensure people feel like they get a good work-life balance and that you value their needs.<\/p>\n<h4>Reduce workplace stress<\/h4>\n<p>You should always try to rectify factors at work that may cause stress for your employees. For example, if a piece of equipment is broken and employees are stressing, you should aim to fix it as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>You should also implement programmes that encourage\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/workplace-wellbeing-programme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">employee health and wellbeing<\/a>. This should have your employees\u2019 physical and mental health at the forefront and will prove to your workforce that you value both their work and their health.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25591 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/coffee-break-krak.jpg\" alt=\"Happy colleagues chatting\" width=\"685\" height=\"295\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Provide feedback<\/h4>\n<p>You should provide your employees with frequent and\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/feedback-in-the-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">effective feedback<\/a>, especially when they\u2019ve done something well. If you never provide feedback, your workforce may feel that you don\u2019t appreciate their hard efforts and you therefore won\u2019t notice when they\u2019re not at work.<\/p>\n<h4>Reward good attendance<\/h4>\n<p>You need to plan this one carefully, as there may be genuine reasons why somebody is absent, such as long-term sickness. However, you should aim to provide a reward for employees who display good attendance throughout the year. This will encourage all to attend and show employees who are always at work that you value them.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>What to Read Next:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/the-cost-of-presenteeism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Cost of Presenteeism &amp; Why It&#8217;s Not Just About Money<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/signs-of-conflict\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Signs of Conflict in the Workplace<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/am-i-being-bullied-at-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Am I Being Bullied at Work?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/work-related-stress-employer-responsibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Work Related Stress: Your Responsibilities as an Employer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/how-to-motivate-a-team\/\">How to Motivate a Team<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/peer-pressure-in-the-workplace\/\">Peer Pressure in the Workplace<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sustained absenteeism in the workplace can lead to a number of problems for both employers and employees. Learn how to effectively manage this in our guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":20869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[69,73],"class_list":["post-25570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","tag-human-resources","tag-mental-health"],"acf":{"schema_disabled":false,"schema_properties_FAQPage_question_answer":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_tools":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_supplies":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_steps":null,"schema_properties_WebPage_cssSelector":null,"schema_sameAs_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_override":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v19.5 (Yoast SEO v19.12) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Absenteeism in the Workplace | Causes &amp; Ways to Manage it<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sustained absenteeism in the workplace can lead to a number of problems for both employers and employees. 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