Managing Absenteeism

MANAGING ABSENTEEISM

Date: 1 March 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. Introduction 1

2. Reasons for absenteeism 1

3. Effects of absenteeism 2

4. Conclusions 4

5. Bibliography 5

MANAGING ABSENTEEISM

1. Introduction

Absenteeism is a costly and disruptive problem and places unnecessary pressure on staff that are at work. Until they investigate, companies normally do not realise the cost of absenteeism until they actually measure it.

2. Reasons for absenteeism

According to Van der Merwe (1988:7-8) the reasons for absenteeism can be divided

in three categories, namely personal factors, organisational factors and attitudinal factors.

Markowich (1996:116) states that some employees have the mentality that the "time is due to me - whether I'm sick or not", or see sick leave as "use-or-lose benefits".

3. Effects of absenteeism

Absenteeism has many devastating effects on organisations all around the world.

Perry (1997:9) states that:

"The real cost of chronic absenteeism then is lowered morale among other employees who must shoulder the work load, lost revenue from sales not made, the loss of customers who flee to competitors for better service, a decline in business