Absenteeism is an issue every employer must deal with. But how do employers deal with it before it becomes a serious problem? That was the focus of Benefits Canada’s Face to Face Workforce Management half-day conference in Toronto yesterday.
Speakers presented practical ways to address the absenteeism issue, case studies on absentee tracking and monitoring, and strategies for attendance management.
The stage was set with keynote speaker Dianne Dyck, occupational health and safety specialist and educator with the University of Fredericton and the University of Calgary. She looked at how employers can create a culture conducive to positive work attendance and productivity. She talked about the importance of employees’ “occupational bond” with the employer and the need for the employer to show employees that their attendance at work is valuable.
Next, the audience heard from two plan sponsors: Transat Tours Canada Inc. and the University Health Network (UHN). Both shared their stories on how they reduced absenteeism rates: Transat through the organization’s tracking and monitoring attendance system, and UHN through collaboration with internal stakeholders.
The morning ended with a panel discussion on attendance management strategies. The panel of four experts addressed many questions, including the following:
- When is the best time for the employer to get involved in an employee’s absence?
- When does return to work really start?
- How do managers have that difficult conversation with employees who are not aware of or are abusing the company’s attendance policies?
Look for a detailed report on the Face to Face: Workforce Management conference in the July/August issue of Benefits Canada.