The non-presence of an employee at his/her place of work is best defined as absenteeism. When this becomes the routine (chronic absenteeism) rather than the exception, it’s a good sign there’s something wrong with the working environment or that management are not identifying the real reason behind the absenteeism.
Chronic absenteeism has huge knock-on effects for the whole company including loss of production and the costs associated with that, not to mention drop in morale of co-workers and colleagues who have to cover for their absent friend.
The methods to reduce absenteeism are well documented and they get positive results using negative methods. They’re normally based on negative reinforcement. I.E. You will be punished for your negative behaviour. Needless to say that’s not going to have any long-term benefits for the company.
So, how do you reduce absenteeism without resorting to negativity?
- Hire the right people.
- Create realistic expectations for the position.
- Train the correct mindset.
- Provide structured and flexible working conditions.
- Listen to the people who rarely speak.
- Promote people who understand their role is to serve.
- Provide people with the correct equipment to do the job.
- Keep the best people.
- Allow the wrong people to leave.
We live in complicated times where complicated people are given the responsibility that should be given to people who understand nothing should be complicated.
I’ll leave you with one final thought.
The only way to think outside the box is to understand there is no box.
