How to Reduce Sickness and Absences in the Workplace

Cross-training employees can help minimize production loss when an employee is sick.

When employees miss time from work, it directly affects the revenue of the company. Employee absences hinder the productivity of the organization and cause companies to make adjustments to keep things operating smoothly. Employee absences in the workplace due to sickness can result from unhealthy lifestyles, personal issues and stress-related issues in the workplace. Several methods exist to help employers reduce sickness and absences in the workplace. Understanding the right measures to implement can help the company maintain its productivity and save money in the long run.

Things You'll Need

• Sick leave policies
• Hand sanitizers

Instructions

1. Establish wellness programs. Implementing wellness programs in the workplace can help employees establish healthy eating habits and get proper exercise. Eating the right foods and exercising regularly can help reduce sickness and absences. Healthy employees have less risk of incurring a workplace injury.

2. Offer safety training classes. Educate your employees about the importance of safety in the workplace. Discuss precautionary measures employees can take to reduce work-related injuries. Managers who understand workplace safety policies can help create environments that reduce the risk of employees experiencing injuries on the job.

3. Use hand sanitizers. Germs spread easily when working in closed-off, tight-knit environments. Installing hand sanitizer dispensers can help reduce germs and prevent certain illnesses from spreading in the workplace.

4. Offer first aid kits. Installing first aid kits with various over-the-counter medications can help prevent employees from leaving work when they feel sick. For example, if an employee experiences a headache, he can go to the first aid kit for pain relievers instead of going home. Take note to offer only over-the-counter medicines that are commonly sold in stores and used by consumers.

5. Establish sick leave policies. Create a sick leave policy that explains the method for tracking sick days, gives methods for employees to use to request sick leaves and shows the employer's requirements for medical documentation. Train new and existing employees on sick leaves policies.

6. Reduce work-related stress. Minimize physical stress on employees’ bodies by offering a sufficient amount of breaks and reducing unnecessary physical movements that are stressful to the body. Employees under work-related stress for long periods of time may experience burnout and start missing days from work to recuperate.

7. Offer rewards to employees without absences. Give incentives to employees who come to work every day and on time. Incentives encourage recipients to continue working and may motivate other workers to improve their attendance.

Tips & Warnings

• Offering a certain number of sick days causes employees to choose their time wisely.

• Never force employees to work when they are noticeably ill.

References

• Mind Tools: Reducing Sick Leave
• Employment Law Practical Handbook: 4 Ways to Reduce Absenteeism in the Workplace
• Monster: Guidelines for Creating a Paid Sick Policy
• Wellness Proposals: Workplace Wellness Programs