As a business owner or entrepreneur, you know that having a happy and productive workforce is key to the success of your business. But what happens when employees start skipping work? This phenomenon is called absenteeism, and it can severely impact your business.
Absenteeism is a two-billion-dollar problem in the United States. However, experts believe that it’s more than just that. It can affect morale, engagement, and more. Here’s what you need to know about absenteeism.
What is Absenteeism?
Absenteeism is known as the habit of missing work. When an employee is habitually or intentionally absent from work, it can harm both the individual and the workplace as a whole.
There are many reasons why an employee might be absent from work. In some cases, absenteeism may be due to an underlying health issue. In other cases, it may be due to job dissatisfaction or personal problems. For this reason, absenteeism can significantly impact productivity and morale in the workplace.
Why Is Absenteeism Such a Problem?
There are many reasons why absenteeism is such a problem in the workplace. Here are some of them:
Decreased Productivity
The most apparent impact of absenteeism is decreased productivity. When an employee is absent, there is less work being done. This can quickly add up and lead to a decrease in productivity for the entire workplace.
You can see this happen in several ways. For example, if an employee is absent, their work may not be done. In addition, other employees may have to pick up the slack, which can lead to decreased productivity for them as well.
Furthermore, absenteeism can also lead to increased stress levels for employees trying to cover for the absent employee.
Increased Costs
Another significant impact of absenteeism is increased costs. When an employee is absent, the company must pay their salary even though they’re not working. In addition, the company may have to pay for overtime or temporary workers to cover the absent employee’s shift.
This can quickly add up and lead to increased costs for the company. In addition, absenteeism can also lead to lost customers and revenue.
Negative Impact on Morale
Absenteeism can also harm morale. When an employee is absent, their work still needs to be done. This can increase stress and frustration for employees trying to pick up the slack.
In addition, absenteeism can create a feeling of unfairness in the workplace. For example, employees may feel asked to do more work because other employees are not pulling their weight.
This can lead to decreased morale and engagement in the workplace.
As you can see, absenteeism can be a big problem in the workplace with many negative consequences. Thankfully, there are ways to deal with them. Here are some ways to reduce absenteeism in your company.
Give Dental Health Services
Many employers don’t know, but dental health plays a significant role in absenteeism. According to a study, employees who don’t have dental benefits are three times more likely to miss work than those who do
This is because dental problems can be very painful and make it difficult to concentrate or eat. Additionally, cosmetic procedures such as dental implants take a lot of time. Thankfully, options are available to your employees if you partner with a local dentist. For example, you can give your employees same-day dental implants to drastically reduce the time they need for their implants. This works by putting a temporary denture first and replacing it with a more permanent one later. Other dental services include teeth cleanings, teeth whitening, and more. These services can help your employees feel good about themselves and improve their oral health, decreasing absenteeism in the long run.
Incentivize Good attendance
One way to reduce absenteeism is to incentives good attendance. You can do this in several ways. For example, you can give employees a monthly bonus, so they don’t miss work. Additionally, you can enter them into a raffle for a chance to win a prize.
Another way to incentivize good attendance is to have a points system. For example, every day an employee doesn’t miss work, they get a certain number of points. These points can then be redeemed for prizes such as gift cards, paid time off, and more.
Encourage Open Communication
Lastly, open communication can reduce absenteeism in the long run. For example, employees who feel overwhelmed or sick can let their manager know and take some time off. Additionally, this open communication can help identify any problems leading to absenteeism.
Absenteeism is a big problem in many workplaces. However, there are ways to reduce it. By following the tips above, you can reduce absenteeism in your workplace.
