The Role of the Manager in Managing Excessive Absenteeism Excessive Absenteeism Carol A. Hacker Human Resource Consultant Speaker Trainer Author
What is the Cause(s) of Excessive Absenteeism? 2
A Policy That Supports Disciplinary Action There are 2 kinds of absentee policies: 1. Traditional policies. 2. No fault policies. 3
A Policy That Supports Disciplinary Action A no fault policy permits a specified number of absences. Include in your no fault policy an adequate warning system. 4
A Policy That Supports Disciplinary Action Set clear standards. Measure actual days off. Use a traditional or no fault system? Use a calendar year? What discipline steps will be taken? 5
A Policy That Supports Disciplinary Action To enforce the policy, you MUST explain your attendance standards. 6
Define the Rules For Progressive Discipline and Apply Consistently Are there clear guidelines? Have they been consistently applied? How serious is the absence? 7
Define the Rules For Progressive Discipline and Apply Consistently What are the relevant personal factors? What is the employee s discipline record? What s the impact on your business? 8
Breathe New Life Into Your Attendance Policy Hold a work unit or department wide competition. Everyone who misses work and does not call in gets... 9
Breathe New Life Into Your Attendance Policy Hand out desirable prizes, perks and privileges for unbroken attendance. Use peer pressure. 10
Breathe New Life Into Your Attendance Policy Establish a sick leave program that does not pay employees for the first (1 3) days of illness. Allow employees to carry over sick leave. 11
Return to Work Interview Instruct supervisors on how to conduct effective return to work interviews. The purpose is... Conduct no later than... 12
Create a Culture That Demands Attendance Your goal is to... Reinforce behavior that s in compliance with the ground rules. 13
Create a Culture That Demands Attendance Make it clear that maintaining good attendance is a condition of employment. Make attendance key in granting promotions. Explain the consequences. 14
Create a Culture That Demands Attendance Employees take the lead from you. Keep records of leave requests. Excessive absenteeism is a... Treat everyone consistently. 15
Prevent Absenteeism Through Employee Motivation Hire the best. Make work fun! Don t count mistakes as crimes. Communicate! Support calculated risk taking. 16
Apply 14 Bullet proof Tips for Giving Feedback to Policy Offenders 1. Find a private place. 2. Gather the courage... 3. State the reason for... 4. Never criticize in anger. 5. Stick to the facts. 17
Apply 14 Bullet proof Tips for Giving Feedback to Policy Offenders 6. Follow the 80/20 rule. 7. Describe the impact. 8. Ask for the employee s perspective. 9. Don t remove responsibility. 10. Deliver in the helping spirit. 18
Apply 14 Bullet proof Tips for Giving Feedback to Policy Offenders 11. Reaffirm your confidence. 12. Don t harbor bad feelings. 13. Agree on an action plan. 14. Pick your battles. 19
8 Step Rescue Approach 1. Determine if it s worth the effort. 2. Don t forget the Popeye Principle. 3. What you permit... 4. Attack the problem. 20
8 Step Rescue Approach 5. Expect change! 6. Don t get trapped into debating. 7. Keep in mind that no one succeeds or... 8. Get agreement. 21
Document Review the situation. Decide what will be included. Document early. Record exact quotes. State the facts. 22
Document Ask for a signature. Ask yourself how you ve handled similar situations in the past. No surprises! 23
Thank You Carol A. Hacker & Associates 209 Cutty Sark Way Alpharetta, GA 30005 (770) 410 0517 carol@carolahacker.com www.carolahacker.com 24
About the Facilitator Carol Hacker is a speaker, seminar leader, corporate consultant and author. She has over twenty five years of human resource management experience and has been the president of Hacker & Associates since January 1989. Carol specializes in teaching executives, managers, supervisors, team leaders and business owners how to more effectively meet the leadership challenge. Carol has developed and facilitated training programs for over 500,000 people in business, industry, and government. Her customized seminars, presented in a powerful, professional environment, have helped organizations of all sizes educate and motivate their leaders. Contact Carol for more information on her customized in house seminars, books and audio CDs. Carol A. Hacker & Associates 209 Cutty Sark Way Alpharetta, GA 30005 770 410 0517 www.carolahacker.com 25
Carol s Most Popular Books www.carolahacker.com Hiring Top Performers 350 Great Interview Questions For People Who Need People Minding Your Business: A Business Owner s Handbook for Managing Human Capital 450 Low Cost/No Cost Strategies for recognizing, rewarding & retaining good people, Volume I and II 366 MORE Surefire Ways to Let Your Employees Know They Count Volumes I and II How to Compete in the War for Talent A Guide to Hiring the Best Retain or Retrain: How to Keep the Good Ones from Leaving The High Cost of Low Morale and what to do about it When Life Doesn t Stick to the Game Plan (self help book) 26