Absenteeism due to illness can be very costly for employers. In addition to the mandatory continued payment of wages, there are additional indirect costs such as absenteeism guidance and temporary replacement. Fortunately, as an employer you can do a lot to limit and prevent absenteeism.

A strong absenteeism policy starts with signals and the working environment

A good absenteeism policy is the basis. In this you record how you and your employees deal with absenteeism and what agreements apply.

Recognizing signals such as fatigue, forgetfulness or reduced productivity is crucial. By responding to these in a timely manner, you prevent them from leading to long-term absenteeism, such as burnout.

A safe and healthy working environment also contributes. Think of ergonomics, fresh air and even office plants, which ensure a better mood. Tools such as an RI&E or workplace survey help identify risks.

Culture, lifestyle and appreciation make the difference

An open corporate culture in which employees feel free to share their concerns lowers the threshold for asking for help with high work pressure or private problems. Customers such as BTL see an increase in job satisfaction as a result.

Encouraging a healthy lifestyle also helps. Think of healthy lunches, fruit baskets, cycling to work and walking together during the break. Vital employees are more productive, absent less and are more involved.

Giving a compliment works wonders. It promotes job satisfaction, performance and cooperation. Don't forget to also talk about job satisfaction and development opportunities during performance reviews.

Balance, involvement and informal care-friendliness

Involvement is essential. A good conversation about work and private life can provide a lot of insight. By maintaining regular contact, you can take timely action if necessary.

In addition, it is important to invest in relaxation and breaks. Joint moments of rest provide connection and recovery.

Also take work-life balance into account. Problems at home, such as debts or relationship problems, can spill over into the workplace. The same applies the other way around. By paying attention to this, you can prevent failure.

Finally, be caregiver-friendly. Employees with caring responsibilities benefit from a good balance between work and care. Through awareness and open conversations you prevent overload and absenteeism. Sickness absence can never be completely prevented, but with these measures you can significantly reduce it.

Do you recognize signals of absenteeism in your organization?

Please feel free to contact us at info@tilstraservices.nl. We are happy to help you discover how you can prevent absenteeism and increase job satisfaction.