How to Encourage Employee Attendance
Are you having trouble with temporary employees’ attendance? If so, you’re not alone. Temporary workers do have a higher tendency to call in sick or be “no-call-no-shows.” This can quickly translate into problems for your business.
Depending on your industry, absenteeism can lead to missed deadlines and interrupted distribution, both of which affect customer satisfaction.
Not only that, but absenteeism by temporary workers can also cause problems with your full-time employees. They may become discouraged if they’re unable to meet their goals, face extra workloads and more work hours, etc. Your team becomes weaker overall, which can lead to decreased morale and even a high employee turnover rate.
New Approach with Temporary Workers to Lower Absenteeism Rates
If your company’s suffering with absentee problems among temporary workers, here are some things you can do to improve the situation.
- Clear attendance policy: to lower absentee rates, it’s essential to have a clear attendance policy in place for all employees, whether they’re full-time, part-time or temporary workers. The policy needs clearly state was is expected of each employee. For example, the attendance policy should indicate measures that are to be taken when calling in absent (including that calling in is a must).
In addition, the ramifications of not calling in absent need to be stated, along with the number of absences acceptable in a specific period of time, etc. The policy needs to be clear, so everyone understands what to do and the consequences of repeated absences.
- Flexible schedules: if you’re having a chronic absentee problem, it may be that more flexible work schedules (also called flex time) could help the solve the problem. This type of schedule can work with both full-time and temporary employees.
Again, it will be necessary to have a plan in place, with specific expectations that must be met. This way, you can keep the work schedule from getting out hand, while maintaining some control of when and where employees are working. And remember to set productivity goals, too.
- Accountability: another way to combat the absentee problem is to give temporary workers more accountability in their jobs. This not only helps to improve absenteeism, but the temp worker will also feel more engaged with their work.
For instance, it may help to create a job description, just as you would for a full-time employee. The job description should describe the job the person has been hired to do. It should include clear expectations as to deliverables, etc.
- Offer attendance incentives: some businesses have started connecting promotions with good attendance. You might try cash rewards or offering an extra day off for anyone who achieves perfect attendance.
These are a few of the ways you can reduce absenteeism with temporary or full-time workers. The key is to have a clear attendance policy, and then make sure all employees, including temporary workers, understands the consequences of repeated absences.