6 Strategies To Reduce Absence In Work

Let’s face it: absenteeism at work is a silent productivity killer (and can be a rather expensive one too). When we looked into the research, we found that the annual cost of employee absenteeism was 225.8 billion dollars (yep, with a B).  So yeah, each day a frontline employee doesn’t show up, it adds up to lost time, lowers the morale of the rest of the team, and creates a spiral of endless juggling of temporary replacements.

So, 47% of overtime goes into covering shifts when team members are out. Does this sound familiar or scary? Don’t worry; you’re not powerless and can fight this head-on and totally get through.

Wait, how? 

With the right strategies in place, you’ll get the power to minimize absences and even boost team engagement (voila!). In this blog, we’ll break down six practical ways to reduce absence at work while boosting team engagement.

Oh, and spoiler alert: solutions like Speakap’s employee engagement platform can make a huge difference in lowering absence at work. 😁Let’s find out how.

Strategy 1: Don't let misunderstandings turn into 'mysterious' sick days

Ever heard of the "mystery flu"? Yep, we mean all those creative illnesses that strike employees right after a tense working day or a poorly explained new policy.

We’ve all seen it (or even probably been there and done that😜).  

The fact remains that miscommunication makes employees take unnecessary time off to escape frustration or confusion. And that’s a massive productivity leakage, right?

According to research estimates, productivity losses from unplanned absence touch around 36.6%, which is huge. And what’s the fix to keep this from popping in?

Open communication.

When your people feel they’re in the loop and you value their efforts, take our word; they’ll be less likely to hit the “I’m not coming in today” button.  And for that, you’ve got to put in the work to keep the folks informed and avoid misunderstandings. 

For starters, prioritize clear and consistent communication about expectations, company goals, and upcoming changes. Implementing this stuff will be easier in practice using tools that foster two-way messaging. That’s the key to ensuring your frontline employees feel heard—not ignored. We’d recommend taking this tip extra seriously if you’ve also got frontline workers on the go, who you may not even meet face to face regularly.

Lastly, a big no-no to any last-minute surprises(or shocks). Instead, send regular updates on your employee app. Trust us; nothing’s gonna trigger a mysterious sick day faster than a curveball. 

Find out: How WURST Steel Construction Closed Communication Gaps

Strategy 2: Offer flexible scheduling (because sometimes, life happens)

Let’s face it—life can and often does get messy, right? Kids or aging parents fall sick, appointments pile up, and sometimes, we may just need to catch our breath and get a mental reset, right?

Acknowledging situations like these happen to everyone and offering flexible work schedules or remote work options to accommodate life’s curveballs helps. When you offer flexibility, your employees feel in control of their schedule (and life). This allows them plan better and juggle responsibilities well.

Moreover, remote work options also reduce commuting stress (and, who loves sitting in traffic, right?). The result of doing this will be keeping burnout at bay. Your folks won’t feel that they need to take an entire day off, and this will reduce absenteeism.  Anyway, post-pandemic, it's clear that remote work is super productive when paired with the right tech tools, right? 

Moral: The next time an employee says they need a couple of hours in the morning for a doctor’s visit, allow them to work those hours later and swap their shift easily with someone else.

Trust us, it’s going to be a win-win.

Strategy 3: Prioritize employee well-being to avoid burnout

Did you know that research suggests that roughly one million workers are absent from work daily due to stress? Yep!

And stress and burnout cost businesses billions each year in lost productivity.

Unsurprisingly, absenteeism touches the sky when employees feel overwhelmed or unappreciated. After all, it’s not just a “they” problem, but an “us” one. And what’s the solution? 

Investing in their well-being. When employees can manage their stress and feel that you, as an employer, care about their well-being, they’ll think twice before calling in "sick" just to escape the grind. 

To get there, you’ll need to put in the work to create a great culture. We mean one where taking care of oneself isn’t just encouraged—it’s celebrated🎊.

For this, you can design and introduce wellness programs that include mental health support, stress management workshops, and access to fitness activities. You can make this available on your employee app so that even frontline workers can access this material when they’re on the go. You can also offer regular mental health check-ins and let your team know it’s okay not to be OK.

Assigning buddies so everyone has a go-to person in the organization in stressful situations is another option. There are quite a few possibilities; you just have to be creative and find ways to help employees help themselves.

Find out how Kalahari Resorts boosted employee wellbeing with comms. 

Strategy 4: Foster happy employees

Another fact: Happiness isn’t just an HR buzzword. It’s the glue that keeps your team showing up and thriving. Engaged employees are happy, stick around (and show up much more).

According to research, 80% of employees consider engagement to be a crucial factor in their happiness at work. Companies with highly engaged employees show a 21% increase in profitability and a 41% reduction in absenteeism. Quite understandable, right, how absenteeism will naturally decrease when people feel engaged, valued, and part of something bigger? And how do you get there? 

Recognize your employees' achievements to keep them happy, engaged, and present. Send a simple “thank you” message or shoutout on your employee chat, which will go a long way. Create regular feedback loops where employees can share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Another way is to show them a clear career path. Remember, growth equals engagement and motivation.

Strategy 5: Tackle workplace culture issues

Next, let’s talk culture. So, your company culture is either your greatest asset or your biggest liability. In our view (and experience), a supportive, inclusive workplace is the best antidote to absenteeism. Conversely, a toxic or mismanaged culture can push your employees to take time off simply to recover emotionally.

It's your job to choose wisely, friend!

The way to go to build a healthy culture is to take some policy steps. For starters, you can make diversity, equity, and inclusion a cornerstone of your policies. This will ensure everyone feels comfortable and well-respected for who they are. Next, ensure your managers are well-trained to handle conflicts effectively and with empathy. We’ve all heard that employees don’t quit companies; they leave managers, right?

Finally, build a culture to celebrate wins as a team and foster a sense of belonging. Get this done, and you should be able to tackle workplace culture issues better.

Strategy 6: Invest in a solid employee engagement platform

We’ve saved the best for last—technology can be your secret weapon in reducing absenteeism. The right tech will put your efforts on fire🔥 and help you set up a practical, enabling mechanism for reducing employee absence.  

Implementing a holistic employee engagement platform is the way you ensure your employees are informed, engaged, and connected, no matter where they are. A proven tool like Speakap can enable you to centralize all your communication. Hands down, those who use it, find it to be the easiest way to ensure employees, whether in-office or out-and-about frontline workers don’t feel left out or in the dark. Speakap’s platform equips you with recognition tools to celebrate wins and encourage attendance. The built-in intranet analytics gives you an edge in identifying patterns and proactively supercharging engagement.

And there’s much more! Trust us; it’s the best bet for creating a community where employees feel motivated to stay engaged and accountable. 

Want a real-world example? Check out how Speakap helps Pura Vida Miami Create a Stronger Sense of Community.

Next steps: Act now to turn employee absenteeism into a thing of the past

The fact remains that employee absenteeism doesn’t just hurt your bottom line—it impacts morale, culture, and productivity. By following these six strategies(or rather secrets) we’ve shared, you can reduce absences at work and create a more engaged, present workforce.

From clear comms and flexible scheduling to implementing wellness programs and a solid employee engagement platform like Speakap, there are tools and strategies for you to take. 

Are you motivated to eliminate absenteeism? Learn how Speakap's employee engagement platform can help you transform your workplace. Click here to get started.