 Daily, many managers face up to 10% or more employee absenteeism, and every missing worker cuts productivity, increases the strain on the employees who show up for work as promised, and costs your bottom line and estimated $660 in added costs per employee every year. Sick days are often used, but a recent survey indicates that two out of three employees who fail to show up for work aren't staying home because they're sick.
Of that two out of three not sick, about 21% percent miss work to handle "family issues," another 18% percent are dealing with "personal needs," and the other 61% percent say they're stressed or simply need a day off.
We all know that when employees call in “sick,” they may not be “physically” sick; as a matter of fact, if the number’s above are correct, about 40% of the absent are stressed in the work place to the point they feel they “need a day off.” Since1995, stress-related absenteeism has seen a 316% increase. Many employers continue to increase pressure on employees to increase productivity; however, research shows that stressful working conditions have a negative effect on the bottom line because of increased tardiness and absenteeism, development of real stress-related illness such as heart disease, and loss of experienced employees who move on looking for a less stressful job.
Solutions are possible, especially considering that almost half the working conditions that have been identified as stress inducers are directly a result of communication failures. Working conditions identified as stress inducers include
1) heavy workloads with long work hours and infrequent breaks,
2) hectic and/or routine tasks with little respect,
3) a negative social environment among coworkers and supervisors,
4) workers ignored in decision- making,
5) poor communication throughout the organization,
6) lack of family-friendly policies.
7) unclear expectations, too much responsibility, or too many "hats to wear."
8) job insecurity and lack of opportunity for growth, advancement, or promotion,
9) rapid changes for which workers are unprepared.
10) unpleasant physical conditions such as crowding, noise, air pollution, or ergonomic problems.
NIOSH research shows that organizations that have both low-stress workplaces and high levels of productivity have common characteristics that include the following:
• Recognition of employees for good work performance
• Opportunities for career development
• An organizational culture that values the individual worker
• Management actions that are consistent with organizational values
Other studies have shown that other factors such as flex time or flexible schedules can reduce employee’s personal stress levels, by providing them time to take elderly parents or children to the doctor, handle parent/teacher conferences, take care of personal business, etc.
You might want to hire a consultant to work on solutions if your company has an absenteeism rate of 10% or more. Whatever solutions your company chooses, eliminating as much stress as possible in the workplace will eliminate most “stress” sick days.
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