Absence management refers to the follow-up carried out by a manager when an employee is expectedly or unexpectedly absent from work.
What Are the Benefits of Good Absence Management?
The benefits of good absence management include:
- Saving time.
- Reducing errors in work schedules.
- Offering more transparency to employees.
- Increasing employee productivity.
- Avoiding conflicts within a team.
- Creating a positive working atmosphere.
How to Structure Absence Management?
Managers who wish to structure absence management within their company can implement several processes and strategies such as:
- Introduce an automated leave request process using a schedule management software.
- Plan employee vacations several months in advance when possible.
- Simplify communication methods to limit misunderstandings and errors.
- Use employee management software to find staff to fill unexpected absences.
- Count employee vacation banks.
What Are the Different Types of Work Absences?
The different types of absence from work include:
- Vacations
- Parental leave
- Sick leave
- Leaves for family reasons
- Unjustified absences
- Compensatory rest
- Work stoppages
- Sabbatical leave
- Unpaid leave
- Bereavement leave
- Absences related to training
How to Reduce Employee Absences?
Managers who wish to reduce employee absences can implement several strategies such as:
- Make employee well-being a priority.
- Establish clear and simple absence management processes.
- Provide sufficient paid time off for employees.
- Establish clear communication methods.
- Be flexible with employee schedules to accommodate their lifestyle.
- Make sure to have enough manpower at all times within the organization.
What Are the Causes of Employee Absences?
There are many causes of employee absences. Here are some examples:
- The poor working conditions that lead to a burnout.
- Illness, a passing virus or discomfort.
- Work stress.
- The death of a family member.
- A natural disaster.
- An unexpected weather event such as a snowstorm.
- A work accident.
- A sick child.
- A road accident.