Absence – How to get a grip on the new world of absence
How to get a grip on the new world of absence
Covid-19 related absence led to 32,397,966 lost working days in the months of April, May and June 2020. That’s according to UK figures compiled by absence management company FirstCare.
Higher rates of mental health and musculoskeletal issues among employees are predicted for the coming year. One in five adults experienced some form of depression during the pandemic in June 2020 (a doubling on the figures pre-March 2020, says the ONS).
What does ‘absence’ mean?
For HR teams, ‘absence’ has become a catch-all term to cover a fog of inter-related physical and psychological concerns. It’s also a term that covers employees taking advantage of the opportunity for days off. Only 16% of employers taking part in a recent survey believed their sickness absence costs data was accurate; 42% said they just didn’t know if their absence costs data was accurate or not.
Organisations find it hard to understand what’s happening because of the lack of a clear picture of specific reasons for absence. It’s harder to assess future needs and put in place the best forms of support for wellbeing at work. In other words, a limit on measures to prevent minor issues from escalating into serious long-term reasons for absence.
Alert to EAPs
EAPA chair Eugene Farrell said: “The lives of many employees have become incredibly muddled. One consequence has been how the clear lines between what constitutes absence and what doesn’t have become clouded. People are suffering from stress and burnout, juggling care responsibilities, worried about their wellbeing at work in many different ways.
“At the same time employers need their people to be engaged and do all they can to re-build levels of productivity. Taking charge of absence means HR and managers working together to be more alert than ever to the immediate needs of employees. They need to make sure they are aware of the range of EAP services, their accessibility. Good communication of EAP services as an everyday support system is essential. Once an employee is in touch with an EAP there’s a professional channel for understanding root causes and related issues and for the right support to be provided.”