It was a morning full of information at DEW Engineering in Miramichi where members from all over New Brunswick met to learn more about controlling absenteeism in their plants. It is believed that the problem begins because some employees have a sense of entitlement to take time off and that “sick days” are simply extra vacation days.
Our guest speaker George Raine, of Montana Consulting, opened our event with a presentation called "Rethinking Attendance" where he discussed the steps to take to try to bring the number of absent days down to a reasonable level.
- Step 1 - Rethink the employment bargain. There is a qualified duty to show up that is exchanged for an offer of a paid position.
- Step 2 - Rethink your views of "consistency". It's Consistency of principle where you give every case the same analysis, but outcomes can vary.
- Step 3 - Rethink you authority to make rules. You can make any rule that does not violate a contract, is not arbitrary, is not discriminatory, is not in bad faith, is clear and is enforced.
- Step 4 - Rethink your responsibility. Employees have an onus to come up with ways to attend as much as reasonably possible.
- Step 5 - Rethink the responsibility to run after doctors. Doctors are patient agents so you can't manage them, but you can change the way your employee interacts with the doctor.
- Step 6 - Rethink the supervisor's role. Supervisors need to be held accountable for managing attendance. They may need a little basic training in order to be effective.
- Conclusion - Rethink what's a reasonable and fair exchange of commitments.
Please just be the people we hired
The group went on to discuss the "frequent flier", the employee who is out once a week. It was suggested to write a medical limitation letter for the employee to take to his doctor to be completed. Try to use the Occupational Health and Safety act to fall back on. Also use department averages as a setting point of tolerable number of days missed. It was a lot information to take in but everyone agreed they got something to take back to their plants.
A huge Thank You goes to our gracious hosts, DEW Engineering.
As well, to George Raine, for helping our members to reduce their absent rates, Thank You!
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