76% of UK employers say staff absenteeism has gotten worse in the last 12 months

Aug. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- In a survey released by hronline, the online HR resource company has today revealed 76% of employers say that employee absenteeism has gotten worse in the last 12 months (up from 59% in 2011)

68% have disciplined staff for non-genuine illness (up from 49% in 2011)

Alan Price, managing director of hronline, said today

“Employers need to crack down on workplace skivers. If management do nothing about ‘skiving’ within their workforce then there will come the day that many employees will ring in sick with no genuine reason because they believe that their employer will not do anything about it.”

Price continues “Clear contractual terms relating to absence, pay whilst absent and formal action to be taken, including when termination may be considered, are necessary and must be followed. These can differ depending on whether the absence is a capability issue or due to the conduct of the employee.”

Price warns “Should an issue be raised regarding an employee’s attendance then it is best to first set-up a personal interview with them to discuss their health and recent absences. This meeting is not disciplinary hearing although you may want to offer them the opportunity of being accompanied if they so wish.

Price concludes “At the meeting explain that the frequency and amount of absence has triggered the company’s procedures regarding absence and you wish to examine the absences, and explore the causes, whether there is a problem at work to cause this and what can be done to prevent or reduce the situation in the future. Assuming the explanations are unacceptable, you should warn the individual and explain that you will be instigating a disciplinary hearing at a time and date to be notified. End the meeting there. Conduct the disciplinary hearing as per your contractual terms and the requirements of the ACAS Code of Practice. If at the end of that meeting you are dissatisfied with the explanation(s) issue the appropriate level of warning.”

Notes to editor
726 employers were questioned by telephone.
hronline is a company that provides HR solutions to businesses of all sizes.
hronline is a subsidiary of Peninsula Business Services.
Alan Price is the managing director of hronline.
Alan Price is available for interview.
For further clarification please contact the hronline press office on 0161 827 8511