Dealing with ‘time-consuming’ employees: Part 2 – Attendance

By KMC Human Resources

16 Apr 2018

Any business owner responsible for staff will tell you what a time-consuming process managing employees can be. It always seems to be the case that some employees are more time-consuming than others though…

In part one of this blog, we looked at time-keeping and how to deal with repeat offenders. This time, we turn to the issue of attendance. Although very few employees have a 100% attendance record, there’s usually the odd one or two members of staff in a business that seem to get ill, or otherwise require days off, more than others.

Unfortunately, this can be very tricky territory for employers as even if you suspect an employer is abusing the system or taking ‘sickies’ illegitimately, it can be very difficult to prove.

Here are some suggested steps for dealing with attendance issues.

Return to work interviews

One tactic for proactively dealing with absenteeism (legitimate or otherwise) is to conduct return to work interviews. These should be used to get a better understanding of why the employee has been off and to check they are now ok. These interviews can be informal in nature but should be completed as soon as is feasibly possible and after each period of absence.

Attendance as a KPI

Using absence as one of your company’s key performance indicators (KPI’s) has been found to have a positive effect on managing absence. If you have an absence target in place and this is proactively measured, it goes to show employees what is and what isn’t considered ‘normal’ and also demonstrates that your business takes attendance seriously.

Review your absence policy

Is your absence policy fit for purpose or does it need an upgrade? Is it too lenient? If there are no perceivable penalties for non-attendance at work, perhaps you need to tighten the rules. If you don’t have an absence policy, you need to set about creating one!

Get to the cause of the issue

Persistent absenteeism is likely to be linked to something else and will almost certainly have an underlying cause. This could be as a result of personal issues being experienced by the employee or may relate to something in the workplace that is causing them difficulty.

Where a pattern of absence is present, ensure this is discussed with the employee in a timely manner. There may be things you can do as an employer that would help – for example offering more flexible working patterns – that could iron out the issue with absenteeism.

If absenteeism is because of work-related issues, these obviously need to be addressed. It can be difficult to initiate disciplinary action in this area, taking account of discrimination relating to any disability, however, it’s not impossible. For further help in tackling attendance and absenteeism in your business, please contact us here.

Latest news

1

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid inspired-500x500.png

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid

23 Apr 2025

2

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire. Thompsons meeting (1).png.png

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire.

22 Apr 2025

3

Business academies to continue for an additional year Cllr Mark Smith (r) with Top Gun Tools & Fixings team presenting Blackpool Net Zero Academy certificate

Business academies to continue for an additional year

22 Apr 2025

4

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates Richard Robinson Feat IMG

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates

22 Apr 2025

5

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors Promotions at Farleys Solicitors

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors

22 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
25 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin