According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), productivity losses linked to absenteeism cost U.S. employers over $225.8 billion annually. So, what can your company do to make sure your workers show up when you need them? Here’s how to increase employee attendance.
Tips for Improving Employee Attendance
Clearly Outline Expectations
It will be difficult for your employees to follow the rules if they don’t know what the rules are. If your company doesn’t already guidelines in place, this is the best place to start.
An attendance policy should answer questions such as:
- How many sick, personal, and vacation days do employees receive?
- Is there a limit on how many days an employee can take off (both paid and unpaid)?
- What happens when an employee exceeds their days-off limit?
- What happens when an employee arrives to work late?
- What’s the process for calling in sick?
- What’s the process for requesting time off in advance?
- What’s the process for taking an extended leave such as that provided by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
Keep these guidelines top-of-mind by reviewing them with your employees regularly. Explain them during onboarding, provide paper and/or digital copies and offer refresher courses as needed.
Track Individual Attendance Records
Employee A calls in sick every week, while Employee B hardly ever takes a day off. So… is this true or simply what seems to be happening? If you don’t track attendance records, you may be surprised at what you miss. Of course, record-keeping takes a bit of time. However, today’s HR software makes collecting and analyzing data much easier. For example, you may discover Employee A and Employee B ultimately recorded the same number of annual sick days. Yet, Employee B took every Tuesday off during football season, and THIS is something you may need to address.
Follow Up When Employees Return to Work
A quick check-in when employees return is not only the right thing to do, but also a smart way to stay on top of potential problems. For instance, let’s say someone faked an illness. They’re probably going to feel a little awkward and/or guilty when you ask, “Are you feeling better today?” As a result, next time, they may think twice before resorting to a lie. On the other hand, let’s say someone tells you they just received a scary medical diagnosis. In this case, you’ll be in a better position to give them the extra support they need.
Are You Looking to Add Attendance-Conscious Employees to Your Team?
Halpin Staffing Services places reliable candidates with top companies throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and Northeastern Illinois. And if your organization needs to cover a long-term leave of absence, we can help with that too. Learn more about all the recruiting and workforce management solutions Halpin has to offer today!
