How to avoid absenteeism

Businesses need to do more to promote wellbeing, according to Jamie Mackenzie, Director of Marketing at Sodexo Benefits and Rewards Services.

Speaking exclusively to HR Grapevine, he says: “January’s Blue Monday marked the day that individuals are said to be unhappier than on any other day of the year, citing cold weather, winter colds and empty pockets after Christmas.”

He warns that this post-Christmas slump may lead to an absenteeism problem as more employees take sick days.

“On the flip side,” Mackenzie says, “with widespread winter flu there is an upward trend in staff attending work when they are unfit to do so.  This issue of presenteeism can often stem from internal pressures or fears around job security compelling employees to work beyond their contracted hours – even when they are not physically or mentally well enough to do the job.”