Absenteeism in the workplace is an issue that affects many employers. Absenteeism not only affects productivity but can also lead to burnout, stress and even resentment among employees who then have to provide cover for absent colleagues. When employers understand the common reasons behind absenteeism and proactively take steps to address these issues it can make a significant difference for them. Here’s a look at the top five reasons for employee absenteeism and approaches you can adopt to reduce their impact on your employees and your business.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, and depression, have become one of the leading causes of absenteeism in the UK. According to a 2023 survey report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), over 50% of UK employees have reported struggling with mental health issues, leading to an increase in workplace absences.
How to Address Mental Health Issues in the Workplace:
- Promote Open Communication: Create a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns without fear of stigma.
- Provide Access to Support Services: Consider offering Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and other mental health resources such as counselling or trained mental health first aiders in the workplace.
- Encourage Work-Life Balance: Burnout can be a significant contributor to mental health issues, so encourage employees to use their annual leave, to stick to their contracted working hours and take regular breaks during the working day.
Illness and Physical Health Conditions
Sickness and physical health issues are generally unavoidable but account for a substantial proportion of employee absenteeism. Flu, infections, musculoskeletal problems and chronic illnesses are common reasons for time off work. A report from the Office for National Statistics highlights that each worker took an average of 5.7 sick days in 2023 due to illness which represents a major issue for employers.
How to Reduce Absenteeism from Illness:
- Implement Hygiene Measures: Providing a clean workspace can help reduce the spread of contagious illnesses.
- Offer Enhanced Sick Pay: Many employees attend work whilst they are ill as they only receive statutory sick pay and so can’t afford to take time off sick even when they are genuinely ill. Offering some form of enhanced sick pay would reduce this problem and prevent staff attending working and spreading illnesses.
Family Responsibilities and Childcare Issues
Family responsibilities, such as childcare, are a leading cause of absenteeism for many employees who have dependents. School closures, childcare issues, and family emergencies can prevent employees from attending work. According to data from Beneden Health, over 40% of employees are neglecting other aspects of their life because of work.
How to Support Employees with Family Responsibilities:
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Offering options like remote work or flexible hours can help employees manage family responsibilities without needing to take time off from their job.
- Promote a Family-Friendly Culture: Encourage understanding among teams, and train managers to provide additional support for employees with family commitments as needed.
Lack of Engagement or Job Dissatisfaction
Low job satisfaction or disengagement with work often leads to absenteeism. Employees who feel unfulfilled or undervalued at work are more likely to take unscheduled leave, which can impact on team morale and productivity. A Gallup study shows that businesses with highly engaged employees report 41% lower absenteeism rates and a 17% increase in productivity.
How to Improve Employee Engagement:
- Encourage Feedback and Recognition: Regularly gather feedback from employees and recognise their contributions. Recognition can go a long way in boosting morale and engagement, it can often be enough to simply say thank you, grand gestures of recognition are not required.
- Invest in Professional Development: Offering training and growth opportunities shows employees that you value their career progression.
- Ensure Role Expectations Are Clear: Clearly defined roles and expectations can improve job satisfaction and help employees feel more connected to their work.
Workplace Conflict and Poor Relationships
Conflict or strained relationships with colleagues or managers can lead to higher absenteeism. When employees experience workplace conflicts, they may even avoid the workplace altogether. Research by ACAS shows that workplace conflict costs UK employers £28.5 billion a year in productivity losses and absenteeism and therefore addressing these issues is of vital importance.
How to Address Workplace Conflict:
- Promote a Positive Work Culture: Create an inclusive, respectful environment and workplace culture in which employees feel valued and comfortable and relevant policies and procedures are in place to nip any problems in the bud.
- Offer Conflict Resolution Training: Equip employees and managers with the tools to manage and resolve conflicts effectively. That could be training in handling difficult conversations or even mediation.
Employee absenteeism is a challenge for many employers and there isn’t a one size fits all approach to dealing with it, but by taking proactive steps and implementing a range of practices and policies employers can significantly reduce the impact of absenteeism and help to support their employees.
Do you have any questions about today’s blog, need help in becoming legally compliant with contracts/policies or can we support you in taking away any people pains to give you peace of mind?
If you answered yes to any of the above, just give us a call at CUBE HR on 01282 678321, or book in a FREE 30 Minute HR Health Check here FREE HR Health Check and we’ll happily give your business a full HR overview with our personal recommendations absolutely FREE!
Why not also check out last weeks blog Dealing With Long Term Absence
We also have a YouTube channel with loads of handy videos outlining various HR related scenarios.