When it comes to businesses, taking care of employees is one of the most important things that an owner can do. After all, employees are what keep a company running and make it successful. If they’re not happy and healthy, then the business will suffer.
There are a few ways that employers can reduce employee absenteeism and keep their workers happy and healthy. Here are some tips on how employers can reduce absenteeism and help employees take care of themselves.
Working from a home office
One of the most effective strategies is to offer work from home days. This will allow employees to rest up while still getting paid, and they’ll experience less stress because they won’t have to commute. They’ll also likely be more aware of their surroundings and able to hear an intruder or take notice if there’s a fire or something else that requires immediate attention.
Working from home offices can be a very effective strategy because it keeps employees from coming into an office if they feel ill or exhausted. For those who do work in the office, it’s important to make sure everyone has their own desk and can work in peace, away from the distractions of others.
Providing paid sick days
Employers can also reduce the likelihood of employees coming into work while they’re sick by offering them paid sick days. This won’t prevent every illness, of course, but it will help keep some employees out of the workplace and away from other people who could be susceptible to the same bug.
Additionally, employers should consider providing flu shots or vaccine booster shots. This will help employees stay healthy all year round and keep them out of the workplace. Better yet, employers can make sure that their health coverage covers flu shots, which will keep the cost down.
Making the office work-friendly
Employers can make their employees happy and healthy by making their workspace work-friendly. Some employers have found that they’re able to reduce employee absenteeism simply by providing healthy snacks, fruit, or even meals for their employees throughout the week.
By providing healthy food, gym memberships, and other incentives to get moving, employers can make it easier for their employees to take care of themselves. This will help the employees feel better and reduce their stress, which in turn reduces absenteeism.
Allowing telecommuting
Another great strategy is to implement a telecommuting policy that ensures employees can work from home when they’re feeling ill or exhausted from working too hard. Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely and take care of themselves, without having to stress out about commuting or interrupting their daily routines.
This is a good strategy because it keeps employees from coming into the office when they don’t feel well and it reduces stress that can lead to absenteeism. The ability to work from home is also beneficial because it allows employees to avoid rush hour traffic and help the environment.
Offering wellness programs
Employers can also reduce absenteeism by offering wellness programs that reduce stress and encourage healthy habits. Some employers have started offering yoga classes, gym memberships, or even paid workout time to their employees.
This encourages employees to take care of themselves and reduces the likelihood that they’ll call in sick for a day or two to let their bodies rest. Employers can also offer massages, paid days off to give the employees a chance to sleep in and enjoy some “me time,” or even bring in a doctor to provide free checkups to identify any problems employees might not have otherwise talked about.
The benefits of reducing absenteeism
Employers who take care of their employees and help them feel appreciated, valued, and respected will see the benefit of lower levels of absenteeism. They’ll also likely see higher rates of productivity and creativity, as well-cared-for employees will be more likely to do their best work.
Of course, there’s a fine line between taking good care of your employees and letting them take advantage of your kindness. If you have reason to believe that your employees are faking their illnesses, you might want to hire a professional surveillance service to help you monitor the situation.
This way, you’ll be able to regain control over your workforce and know exactly what’s going on at all times. But be sure to gauge the situation carefully before taking this step. After all, if your employees feel that their privacy is being invaded or that they’re being treated unfairly, they might become resentful or leave the company.
As you can see, there are a few ways that employers can reduce employee absenteeism and keep their workers healthy and happy. Implementing just one or two of the tips will help, and the more that employers do, the better it’ll be for their workers and business as a whole.
