Employee absence could reach an all time high as the Olympic Games get under way. Employers need to use different management techniques and flexible working patterns to encourage their staff to come to and stay at work.
From the results of our research it seems that the majority of employers have no plans in place to help manage staff absence during the Games. Professional advice suggests that there are different approaches that employers can consider to help employees enjoy the events that are important to them without compromising the needs of the business. These may include:
- Flexible working hours
- Shift swaps
- Unpaid leave
- Special screening of events on the premises
By making your organisations policy clear on absence your staff are aware that there are disciplinary consequences for taking unauthorised time off without good reason or for not performing satisfactorily at work.
From our experience as suppliers of absence management systems we suggest that employers should encourage workers to use annual leave and particularly discourage general absenteeism. One way of monitoring and reporting on absence management is by using an electronic time recording system.
These are designed to provide you with all aspects of employee behaviour in the workplace from clocking in to lunch breaks, hours worked to overtime and overall absence patterns.
These reports indicate areas for attention for immediate action. Is your company prepared?
Let The Games Begin!
