Absenteeism is a phenomenon wherein the employees habitually take a leave from work, intentionally and a lot of times without any firm reason.
There are several reasons for the above-stated phenomenon, some of the most common ones include:
- – Burnout & Stress
- – Low Morale & Less Motivation
- – Bullying and Harassment
- – Illness
- – Low Engagement
- – Caregiving Responsibilities
- – Job Changing & Hunting
Absenteeism due to these various reasons might cost an organization a lot.
An international survey by SHRM indicates that “productivity loss in the U.S. ranges from 22.6% for planned absence to 36.6% for unplanned absence”.
During the pandemic, many organizations came up with effective solutions to tackle this problem and support employees.
For instance: During Covid, Dabur India to handle absenteeism and support employees used job enlargement and cross-functional teams.
(Source: India-Inc Battles Covid Absenteeism)
Many organizations have also been hiring temporary workers to cover for the employees.
These strategies are great but it is important to handle the problem at the root initially.
When talking about absenteeism, organizations should first understand why employees take leave.
Organizations should undertake action to understand their employees better.
This is where having an Employee Assistance Program can benefit you.
Here Are 3 Tips For Reducing Absenteeism In The Workplace Through EAP
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– Counseling, Evaluations & Assessments:
EAPs can help your organization understand the needs and challenges, undertake counselling sessions, assessments and evaluations for employees along with training programs and help them deal with their problems: personal or professional.
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– Suggest Strategies:
EAPs along with HR and management work on strategies based on the results of evaluations, assessments, and counselling sessions.
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– Increased Productivity & Engagement:
These programs not only provide psychological support but also help improve productivity and engagement in time.
So the truth is, having an EAP will not just help in reducing absenteeism but will also help in growing your business.
After all, employee wellness leads to successful businesses.
