Although absenteeism can’t be totally eliminated, excessive and persistent levels have a direct and immediate impact on both team and organisational functioning and can have negative implications for employee relations. Outline the challenges and problems created by poor attendance and absenteeism. Ensure to back up your points with academic references. Discuss the steps that a front-line manager could take to manage absenteeism within a team/organisation. Ensure to back up your points with academic references.

Contrary to old school beliefs, absenteeism typically does not occur because the employer has hired poorly. While there is the occasional lazy or unprincipled employee in any workforce, for the most part, the lure of pay and benefits will keep employees showing up to work regularly.

Rather, it is in that place where even pay cannot compensate for work conditions that absenteeism is often discovered.

Here are some of the most common reasons why employees begin to be chronically absent from work:

– Harassment. If an employee is being singled out by co-workers or a supervisor in a way that is perceived as bullying or harassing, that employee is more likely to engage in absenteeism.

– Chronic illness. Issues as diverse as allergies and cancer can take a toll on an employee’s energy level and ability to perform well at work. But by far the most common health reasons for absenteeism center on ergonomic issues such as hand, back and neck pain (to the tune of 100 million work days annually).