A recent
CBI Survey has shown that the rate of employee absence has fallen recently to the lowest levels since 1987. Employees still however take on average 6.4 days off through illness each year, accounting for 180 million sick days in total. The costs to companies and organisations are estimated at a staggering £16.8bn.
It does make you wonder with the World Cup looming whether absences might start to increase if England progress in the competition and people start skipping work to watch the afternoon matches or struggle to get into work the day after a famous victory.
I’ve commented in the past (
Swine flu – your responsibilities and how to avoid difficulties dealing with malingering employees) as to the difficult balance between being understanding when people are genuinely ill and tackling those members of staff who use almost any excuse to take time off. If you are convinced you have an employee who’s not attending work when they could keep your cool but do tackle them when they return to work following your normal disciplinary procedure.
And during the World Cup? A bit revolutionary maybe – but if you think World Cup fever could be a real problem for your business why not consider thanking the staff that do make it – with free cakes or allowing them to go home slightly early. Or maybe, if it’s appropriate in your business, allow the radio commentary to be played out.
Anticipating any employee problems and planning is far better than ignoring them and hoping they’ll go away.
Justin Patten
Employment solicitor and mediator