Managing absence in the workplace can be extremely difficult, especially when employers are trying to build an effective and high performing team.
I recently attended a seminar which explored the main areas HR professionals were concerned with in the workplace. Working from home was one of them.
The term ‘working from home’ has become a phrase many employers will have heard repeatedly. Some might ask where do you draw the line? It is important to be clear on whether the role of the employee is business critical or not? For example, it might not be in the company’s best interest for one to work from home if their role relies heavily on face to face client interaction. However, sometimes situations that can't be controlled mean that it's either that or nothing.
A Sickness Absence Survey published last year in 2016 showed that ‘The UK’s productivity performance matters because it is a key driver of log-term economic growth. The UK’s growth prospects depend on people being fit, working and productive’. In order to sustain growth within a company, understanding the relationship between work and personal life is key. Many of us believe that in order for us to flourish in a working environment, we must be content with our personal lives. Others have the view that you must keep both completely separate and that once you leave work you "leave everything at the door".
It is important to encourage a culture of “looking after yourself” because once you do that you’re ready to perform at the highest level. It’s all well and good having a workforce that have the qualities to perform well but if they are neglecting their health and well-being, there is risk of them “running out of steam” or becoming unwell which contributes to the large amount of sick days taken every year. One must maintain a healthy personal life in order to be able to perform well and do your best at work.
Our CEO David Abramson regularly explains that vision is everything. It is the key driving force that gets you out of bed in the morning. I fully believe that motivation in the work place is a game changer. Without the use of good motivators, it will be very hard to have a team that is ready for a challenge, ready to break down barriers, ready to be the best at what they do.
At the Cedar Dean Group, we pride ourselves in having an office environment that feels like a home away from home. This in itself is something I'm sure would motivate all of us.
