In recent years there has been an exponential growth in non-attendance at work, also known as absenteeism. This phenomenon not only affects the productivity and efficiency of companies, but also has a significant impact on costs and employee morale. In this blog, we will delve into the causes behind the rise in absenteeism and discuss how companies can address this problem to create a healthier and more productive work environment. From identifying risk factors to implementing effective solutions, we will explore best practices for addressing absenteeism and keeping employees engaged and present at work.

What the Statistics Tell Us

According to data from Spain’s National Institute for Safety and Hygiene at Work (INSHT), absenteeism in Spain in 2019 amounted to 4.1% of working days. Illness or medical leave were the main causes of absence, followed by personal and family problems.

In addition, according to a study conducted by Randstad in 2020, absenteeism in Spain increased by 5.3% during the first half of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress and anxiety were the main factors leading workers to miss work.

In recent years, absenteeism has grown significantly, with around 1,200,000 professionals missing work every day in the last quarter of 2021. And according to data from the second quarter of 2022, the absenteeism rate in Spain increased to 6.5%. A total of approximately 1,300,000 people are absent from work every day.

What are the Causes?

The main causes of absenteeism in Spain include job dissatisfaction, lack of supervision, lack of incentives, poor working conditions and accidents at work. In addition to the possible lack of work-life balance in certain cases. The COVID-19 pandemic has, for some people, increased levels of anxiety, stress and uncertainty. This has led to more significant mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

Inadequate work policies, such as lack of flexible working hours and employer support, can contribute to non-attendance at work, as can economic and health problems. A high workload and/or excessive responsibilities are also a determinant factor.

And finally, more recently, changes in work culture, such as teleworking, can make some employees feel that they need to take more time off for their well-being. Staying in their own homes for so long can lead to symptoms such as claustrophobia, stress and anxiety.

How Does it Impact Businesses?

Regardless of the cause, absenteeism can have a negative impact on a company’s productivity and well-being.

In addition to decreased productivity, absenteeism can also negatively affect employee morale. When an employee repeatedly misses work, it is likely that co-workers may feel that they are burdened with additional tasks, which can lead to resentment and a decrease in motivation. It can also have a financial impact. When an employee is absent without notice or justification, the company must organise and deal with the potential indirect costs associated with their absence, such as training a temporary replacement.

What is the solution?

There are steps companies can take to prevent and reduce absenteeism.

• Open communication: Encouraging open and transparent communication with employees can help identify and resolve underlying issues that may be leading to absence from work.

• Work-life balance policies: Offering flexible working hours, paid sick days and other policies that support work-life balance can improve employee satisfaction and motivation.

• Mental health support programmes: Providing mental health resources and support can help reduce anxiety and stress.

• Ongoing assessment: conduct regular assessments to identify the causes of absenteeism and implement measures to address them.

• Incentives and rewards: offering incentives and rewards to employees for regular attendance can improve their motivation and commitment to work.

In conclusion, absenteeism is a problem that can have serious consequences for productivity, employee morale and a company’s financial costs. It is therefore important for companies to take measures to prevent and reduce absenteeism and to foster a healthy and motivating work environment.

It is important that companies address these issues and work to create a healthy and balanced work environment for their employees. This includes promoting the mental and physical health of employees, ensuring that workloads are balanced and offering work-life balance programmes.