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Managing absence during the Olympic Games
April 17th 2012
There can’t be many people in the UK who haven’t heard the Olympic Games are coming to town. Between 27th July and 12th August 2012, a range of sporting events are likely to have many employees glued to the BBC sports pages, Twitter and their TVs. Statistics have shown that unplanned absence typically rises during large sporting events, such as that of the football World Cup. The Olympics obviously reaches a wider audience than the World Cup, and so unplanned absences are expected to be at an all-time high. But how can employers best manage the increased absences that are bound to happen during this time?
A recent Personnel Today article provided by David Prosser, strategic development manager at AXA PPP healthcare, suggests a number of actions that can be taken in advance of the Games, such as encouraging employees to formally book annual leave for events that they already have tickets for or just wish to watch from the comfort of their own sofas, and making it clear that unauthorised absence without good reason could result in disciplinary procedures being invoked.
Communicating the absence policy clearly to employees is a key factor in controlling the amount of unplanned absence taken.
It may be logistically possible for some employers to allow employees to watch certain Games events whilst at work, for example via the internet or on TV screens. Similarly, subject to IT availability, some employees may be allowed to work from home and then schedule their working day around the events. Actions such as these are likely to significantly reduce absenteeism.
Don’t forget that it’s not just the Olympic Games happening in 2012, we’ve also got the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Euro 2012, both in June.
Ultimately the best way to manage sickness is to record it, monitor it and review it. If you’re having problems doing this, or your current system is just not robust enough, contact TeamSeer. We’re sure we’ll be able to help!
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