5 practical solutions to help you manage absence in the workplace

The 2016 CIPD/Simplyhealth Absence Management Survey concluded that more employers are recognising the value of line managers in managing absence at work, but are not giving them the tools and support necessary to do it effectively – saying that currently managers are underprepared.

See more on why our HR Manager Laura Rigby thinks line managers are actually UNprepared!

Here are HR180’s 5 practical solutions to help you manage absence, lateness and time-keeping in your business:
1. Encourage an open and transparent culture.
2. Set expectations – what is expected from the employee and what they can expect in return.
3. There MUST be consistency in your approach
a. in terms of each line manager, and what they do,
b. what the employee is ‘allowed’ to do,
c. and treat all employees the same.
4. MOST IMPORTANTLY don’t put your head in the sand:
a. Don’t assume the absence is a negative action ‘against’ the business, it might be down to a personal issue that you might help resolve (eg someone leaving early regularly on a Friday may need to collect children within the terms of an access requirement),
b. if there’s an absence, lateness or other time-keeping issue with no mitigating circumstances, including the employee not being forthcoming, communicate with that person, reset your expectations and set out what action would be taken if it continues – and FOLLOW IT UP.
5. And if all else fails, get on the phone to us! Call the HR180 Heroes on 0113 287 8150 for a chat today.