Absenteeism figures and software
Absenteeism isn’t a black-and-white affair. Open communication is key. But before you can engage in dialogue with employees about their fitness for work, you need to understand what’s really going on. Using a well-intentioned Excel spreadsheet for this can quickly end in tears. Fortunately, there’s another way. With smart software like TeamFlows, keeping track of absenteeism figures becomes child’s play. This in turn allows you to decide on suitable actions and measure their impact.
What are the different types of absenteeism figures?
Absenteeism rate: the number of days employees are absent in a given period divided by the number of available work days x 100. This rate provides insight into long-term absenteeism.
Absenteeism frequency: the number of reported absences during a given period, divided by the total number of employees –provides insight into short-term absenteeism.
Short-term absenteeism: the number of short absences (< 30 days).
Long-term absenteeism: the number of long absences (≥ 30 days).
Percentage of employees reporting sick: the number of employees (%) who were off sick at least once in a given period.
Percentage of employees not reporting sick: the number of employees (%) who were never off sick in a given period.
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The importance of keeping track of absenteeism figures
Monitoring figures and analysing data: it’s not everyone’s favourite activity. We get that. Yet it’s important, because you need to measure in order to know what’s going on. To be specific, your absenteeism data helps you to:
Gain control over the absenteeism situation in your company
Spot patterns and thus identify risk factors
Take the right actions for your absenteeism situation
Save costs in the long run
Take effective action to promote your employees’ wellbeing and fitness for work
Monitor absenteeism figures
A staggering 43% of companies in Belgium don’t keep track of their absenteeism figures. And only 6% use specialised tools to do so. This was found in a study by Mensura and research agency Indiville. We think it’s a shame, because you really stand to gain by monitoring your absenteeism data. Is your organisation among that 43%? Let’s do something about it together!
So does this mean your absenteeism data is sacred? Far from it. As always, common sense prevails:
Don’t get fixated on your absenteeism rate. It’s a good indicator of long-term absenteeism, but short-term absenteeism often has a greater impact on your organisation.
Always analyse the absenteeism rate and frequency and the percentage of those who do (and who never) take sick leave together to obtain a complete picture of the situation and what you need to do.
Don’t instantly compare your absenteeism figures with those of other companies, but with your own figures from the previous year (or years).
Keeping track of absenteeism data: how is it actually done? And how do you address an absenteeism trend with a friendly and personal conversation? Our training programs have the answer.
Absenteeism software for maximum gains
Are you already tracking your absenteeism figures in a spreadsheet? Good going! But you’ve probably noticed that it’s quite a labour-intensive and error-prone business. Don’t worry, because absenteeism software offers a lasting solution. You centralise the data on a secure platform and can automate tracking with notifications, generate reports easily, organise absence interviews, and much more. And if some time and energy is freed up, you can put it directly into your employees.
Here are a few of the benefits:
Time savings through automation
No more manual Excel work: with software like , you have automatic reports and dashboards that give you a clear overview of the absenteeism situation in your organisation with a single click.Tailored insights
Analysing absenteeism patterns for a specific period or department, tracking zero absenteeism, monitoring a reintegration case … with absenteeism software, you can tailor your analyses to your needs and situation.
Predicting absenteeism
Monitoring the figures goes beyond collecting and managing data. Software also helps you identify certain risk factors, spot trends for specific departments or time periods, and thus take action in time before absenteeism spikes even further.
Real-time overview
Who is off work? Who is following up on what, and when? Which reintegration process is in which phase? Automatic notifications and triggers mean that you and everyone else involved always know what the next step is.
Absenteeism software isn’t a luxury, but a strategic tool. The return on investment is always there – both in euros and in well-being. That’s why Mensura, together with the software company Otherside at Work, offers the TeamFlows platform: a smart and dynamic package for monitoring your absenteeism figures and making your policy deliver even better returns.
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