Tags – Reducing Staff Sickness Leaves
Dealing with employees taking days for illness is a hazard of the workplace and one that can cost a company heavily.
Equally difficult is maintaining the balance between being empathetic to those genuinely ill and managing those who sometimes might just fancy the day off!
Here are our top tips on how to reduce staff sickness.
1. Clear Policy
Make sure you have a clear policy laid out on staff absences, including a section on sickness.
For instance, putting in place a procedure of what to do in the case of absence is crucial.
Knowing exactly what is expected when too unwell to come to work will prevent any misunderstanding.
Whilst a specific policy outlining the need to make contact each day of absence and exactly when a doctor’s note will be required might not prevent sickness, it will reduce any opportunity for excuses.
Equally, setting out a fair and reasonable way of how habitual absence will be dealt with will help too.
2. Health and Safety
In order to reduce sickness within your workforce, it makes sense to ensure that your staff are working in a healthy environment and that you demonstrate your support in terms of their general health and wellbeing.
As such, make sure someone is given full responsibility for Health and Safety. Keeping up to date with health and safety legislation is essential.
Consequently, staff will feel cared for and the potential for accidents will also be reduced.
3. Occupational Health
Regularly auditing your employees’ workspace is a great idea.
Not only will checks such as those on workstation set up, air conditioning and suitable lighting potentially reduce health issues, they will also prove to your staff that you’re committed to their wellbeing.
Similarly, setting up meetings where you listen to any issues your staff may have will be appreciated.
Moreover, showing you care costs nothing but will hopefully mean your staff will reciprocate your commitment.
4. Physical and Mental Wellbeing
Another way in which an employer can make headway in reducing staff sickness is by encouraging better lifestyle choices and practices.
For instance, promoting healthy eating or providing yoga or mindfulness sessions in the workplace are all recommended methods.
Equally, offering corporate gym membership and counselling sessions will show your investment in your staff.
Furthermore, your staff will feel valued and appreciated and overall, will want to stay around!
5. Flexible Working Hours
It’s well known that sick leave is taken when staff feel they have no other option.
For instance, a parent might call in sick if their child is unwell and they have no alternative childcare.
As such, an acknowledgement on your part of how difficult work-life balance can be for your staff will be very well received.
Moreover, flexible hours or remote working might well be the most valuable offer you could make to your staff.
Whilst you might not prevent all unnecessary sick leave, showing understanding towards your team can’t fail to result in greater loyalty and commitment.
To learn more, get in touch with us today.
In the meantime, In the meantime, please check our HR Consultancy Birmingham service.