Current models for managing sickness absence are ineffective, based they are on physical condition alone. What we need is an awareness of the mental health issues, which tend to go hand in hand with illness. HR Managers should always look at mental health issues, including for regular short-term absences.

So says Ms Patricia Murray, Work and Organisational Psychologist at the Health and Safety Authority. Sick days taken can indicate that a person isn’t in the right job. There can be an imbalance between demands placed on the worker and what they’re capable of or perceive themselves as being capable of.

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(As featured in the Irish Independent on Tuesday 17th January 2006)

Report by Gemma O’Doherty

As workplace absenteeism hits epidemic levels, many firms are adopting new techniques to clamp down on serial sickie-takers. If you’ve managed to make it through January so far without pulling a sickie, congratulations. You’ve done your economy proud. The first working weeks of the New Year are notorious black spots for office absenteeism with staff being struck down by the cursed post-Christmas blues and the inability to resist a bargain.

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Is absenteeism still a big problem for Irish employers, do you have these issues within your organisation? How do you manage the absence? When the question arises is it more effective to reward attendance rather than punishing the absence? The Carrot vs Stick argument is discussed below with regards to managing absence.

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No one likes to be left in the lurch by an employee but when it becomes par for the course it’s the stuff of nightmares. Absenteeism caused by illness or an aversion t work can wreak havoc on everything from the bottom line up.

Suddenly you’re pitting your wits against Quincy and Columbo while the rest of your workforce takes up the slack. So what can you do about it?

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By Alan Sherlock, SFA

Absenteeism is costing Irish employers hundreds of millions of euros each year, a loss that could be significantly reduced through better management, writes SFA executive Alan Sherlock.

According to the SFA Absenteeism Report 2006 small businesses in lose upward of €692 million a year through employee absence.

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Absenteeism can increase in the summer for many reasons. Respiratory infections such as asthma may force employees to stay at home. Some may have parental responsibilities that become even more obvious when children are off from school for the summer break. Others may just find the lure of the warmer weather and brighter days enough of an excuse to pull a sickie or take a long weekend.

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What is “Presenteeism”?

Presenteeism is defined as lost productivity that occurs when employees come to work but perform below par due to any kind of illness. While the costs associated with the absenteeism of employees have long being studied, the costs of presenteeism is newly being studied.

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