Connected Caregiving Blog

If you are reading this, you are one of less than half of U.S. employers who recognize the impact caregiving has on a large number of your workforce. The number of American’s involved in caregiving duties is so large, recent reports indicate 75%, that avoiding them and their plight is to your own peril. Even more significant is that the percentage of working adults who are also directly involved in managing care for at least one family member is only going to grow in the coming years.

Let’s begin by being clear about the term absenteeism. Absenteeism is a situation where an employee misses work without prior request or authorization. A planned vacation or period of sick time isn’t considered absenteeism. Calling in last minute because your toddler has a fever or your car broke down are examples of absenteeism. It is a commonly held belief that high rates of absenteeism in an employee population is something to take notice of and a catalyst to implement a plan of action. High absenteeism can be an indication of low morale, job dissatisfaction, and high rates of illness or stress.

In the current market, there’s a great deal of competition for the best talent. Employees consider more than salary when making a decision about their prospective employer.  Generous paid time off and great health care benefits are an expectation. To stand out from the competition, the most sought after companies understand it is necessary to create a culture that shows they genuinely care and allows team members to bring their whole selves to work each day.  Employees need to feel like they can be honest about the challenges they face in and outside of work while simultaneously secure in knowing their job won’t be in jeopardy. Facilitating a culture that embraces transparency, support, and genuine care for employees can be tricky while balancing expectation and job demands, though. So how do you do it? Here are our tips on how to create a culture of care in the workplace.

Reducing absenteeism rates is a top priority for nearly every company and for good reason.  Absenteeism has a negative impact on profits, productivity, and morale of the workforce as a whole. Aside from the actual employee where the absenteeism originates, a trickle effect happens to the employees who are filling in for an absent coworker. They are less productive, less engaged, and sometimes feel under-appreciated and can burn out more quickly.  

Not to mention, every year, the costs of absenteeism surpasses $1 billion dollars in almost every industry. No company is immune to its effects. Companies with employees who have higher levels of education and experience pay an even higher price when employees are absent.

To make an impact on rates of absenteeism, employers and HR managers need to understand the root causes and take action to correct them. Here are the top causes of absenteeism in the workplace.