WHAT IS ABSENTEEISM?
Absenteeism at the workplace refers to the habitual pattern of an employee not showing up for work without having a valid reason. It can harm the productivity and efficiency of a company, as well as affect the employee himself. There are several reasons why an employee may be absent from work.
Whatever the reason is, continuously not showing up for work harms the employee and their morale when he/she does not have a proper reason to escape work. Some common causes may include personal or family illness, stress, lack of motivation, and dissatisfaction with their job.
In some cases, it may be due to an underlying issue such as substance abuse or mental health problems. No matter the reason, excessive absenteeism can lead to decreased productivity and revenue for the company.
4 Lesser known Reasons For Absenteeism Among Employees
1. Poor Work-Life Balance
One of the common reasons for employee absenteeism is the lack of work-life balance. Having a poor work-life balance hinders an employee to work and take care of his wants and social life. A lack of balance between work and personal life can lead to physical and mental distress which affects our daily functioning resulting in absenteeism.
Every employee wants to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. Everyone wants to give both of them as much time as possible. The inability to strike a balance between the two results in employees feeling like they have no control over their life, feeling stuck and confused which eventually leads to absenteeism. Poor work-life balance also leads to burnout, resulting in the same.
2. Dissatisfaction With The Job
Dissatisfaction with one’s job is a common reason for not showing up at the workplace regularly. Employees who are unhappy with their work may be less likely to show up regularly and may even begin looking for a new job. This can lead to a decrease in productivity and revenue for the company.
Most job dissatisfaction comes from a lack of recognition or opportunities for advancement, conflicts with co-workers or supervisors, or a feeling of being overworked or undervalued.
3. Low Employee Engagement
An employee’s engagement at the workplace directly impacts the company’s performance. For employees, low engagement can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction, frustration, burnout, and an overall negative work environment. It can also result in poor job performance, decreased productivity, and a lack of motivation to work, leading to disengagement at work. Companies with engaged workforces see up to 41% lower employee absenteeism rates, according to Gallup Workplace research.
4. Bad On-Field Experience
Another main reason is bad experiences at the workplace. E.g., seniors not behaving properly with the junior staff or showing extreme dominance over them and disregarding their opinions and ideas; harassment at the workplace in various forms, etc. can lead to employees feeling low and uncomfortable, leading to absenteeism.
In the end, everything that is going on with us—a chaotic work-life balance, discontent with the job, low employee engagement, and poor on-field experiences—affects our mental health, leaving us feeling conflicted, unmotivated, and unwilling to go to work. But, there are ways in which it can be reduced and employers can increase motivation.
3 Most Influential Ways To Reduce Absenteeism
1. Focus On Employee Engagement:
An employee wants to feel valued and appreciated at their workplace. They frequently lose interest in what they are doing when employers fail to reward them or treat them unfairly.
Therefore, developing and encouraging multiple engagement activities is one of the most significant ways absenteeism can be decreased. Employees will be more motivated to come to work if their employers emphasize team building, and plan a fun and quirky activities for them. Becoming fair in all respects, celebrating personal milestones, fostering a flexible work environment, placing emphasis on mental health, respecting their opinions, and offering them exclusive benefits can also increase employee engagement.
2. Employee Wellness Programs
Employee absenteeism is frequently caused by a lack of physical, emotional, spiritual, dietary, financial, or social well-being. Our overall well-being and how we feel influence everything we do. Therefore, companies should concentrate on implementing effective wellness initiatives that will meet employees’ needs. Research has shown that an effective wellness program can reduce absenteeism by 14-19%.
3. Encourage Open Communication:
The majority of the time, employees are reluctant to voice out the issues that are bothering them. Either, they don’t want to address them or don’t get the right platform to do so which increases absenteeism. Therefore, companies should make it easier for employees by encouraging open communication.
This can be done through regular meetings, newsletters, anonymous circulation of surveys, and introducing new ways of communication along with an open door policy.
Addressing absenteeism at the workplace is essential for the success and productivity of a company. By implementing policies and procedures, providing support and resources, and encouraging open communication, companies can help reduce it’s impact and create a positive and productive work environment.
0 Comments