Will They Show Up?

by Jessica Flora

Poor attendance is a dilemma every organization experiences. This can stem from many things, including low employee morale, employees not feeling connected to the organization’s mission and employees’ personal requirements. Regardless of the reason, organizations must cope with the problem of running their operations with absentee employees.

The survey says:

According to AAIM Employers’ Association’s 2015-2016 Policies and Benefits Survey of 150 St. Louis and central Illinois businesses, organizations allow 4.4 days per year on average before the disciplinary action process begins.  

Suggestions to decrease attendance issues:

• Create a paid time off (PTO) policy. With a PTO policy in place, employees would not feel the need to call in sick to use up their sick time but instead would save their time for planned absences.

• Set a policy for absence/sick time and communicate it. Ensure all employees know what is expected and what will happen if they do not follow the policy.  

• Follow the policy and remain consistent. This includes training supervisors and managers on expectations.

• Allow employees flexibility in their work schedules or work-from-home options. This will allow organizations to ensure the work is still getting done while allowing employees to manage their personal lives.

• Reward employees who have good attendance and make the reward worth it. This will provide employees with another incentive to come to work.

Jessica Flora, PHR (solutions.team@aaimea.org) is on the Research and Solutions Team for AAIM Employers’ Association, which helps Missouri and Illinois companies manage their people and processes.