Absenteeism

Background considerations 1. How big is the problem in your organization? In what way is 'absenteeism' distinguished from 'lateness'? Is the distinction reasonable? By what criteria?

2.
3.

Are most employees involved? Or particular groups? Does it occur most amongst Particular age groups? Full-time or part-time employees? Particular grades of employee (e.g. unskilled, semi-skilled or skilled)? Particular occupations (e.g. process workers)? Particular departments? Married or single employees? Male or female employees? New or longer-service employees? Employees of different ethnic groups? Or does it occur after a particular period of service?

4. 5.

Do you know the current cost of absenteeism in your organization? On what basis has the cost been calculated? Have you coasted the direct effect of absenteeism on:

Production? Scrap/waste levels? Machine down time? Late deliveries? Rescheduling time by management? What is the indirect effect on other employees? And on their efficiency?

Measurement and evaluation 6. Is absenteeism measured? How? If absenteeism is not measured, and trends are not evaluated, what action is indicated? Who should take it? When? Records

7.

8.

Does the system analyze reasons for absence by type? Accidents at work? Other absence with permission Other absence without permission?

9.

Is the absenteeism system periodically examined to establish whether modifications /updating is necessary

10. Does the system analyze the reasons for absenteeism such as boredom and
frustration with 'uninteresting' work as probable causes for absenteeism?

11. Have you ever examined trend of absenteeism to establish the significance of
timing (e.g. does absenteeism 'peak' immediately before resignation)? Standards

12. Is the organization's expectation on attendance and timekeeping explained at

the selection interview? Again during induction?

13. Is everyone aware of what standards are totally unacceptable to the

organization? Are you sure?

14. Are the absence records of individual employees ever discussed with them? 15. Is a record kept of the discussion in view of possible subsequent disciplinary
action (including dismissal)? If not, what should be done?

16. Are all managers and supervisors aware of their personal responsibility for
minimizing absenteeism? How do you know? Communication and controls

17. Who receives information reports on absenteeism? Are they the right people?
Are checks made periodically? Do all supervisors receive copies? How often? Has a check been made recently to evaluate what supervisors actually do about these reports on receiving them

18. Who is responsible for Planning to reduce absenteeism? Taking action to

reduce it? Controlling the ongoing effectiveness of the plan?

19. When was the last joint consultation meeting on absenteeism? What was the
result?

20. When was the last time the effectiveness of the plan was reviewed? What was
the Results?