Absenteeism in Workplace – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1002

Absenteeism in Workplace – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1002

Dear Colleagues! This is Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1002 for Pharma Veterans. Pharma Veterans Blogs are published by Asrar Qureshi on its dedicated site https://pharmaveterans.com. Please email to aq.pharmaveterans@gmail.com for publishing your contributions here.

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Absenteeism among office and factory workers is a significant challenge across Asia, affecting productivity and business outcomes. 

Factors for Absenteeism

It feels quite disturbing when an office staff suddenly sends in sick leave or casual leave. Sick leaves are mostly unjustified because today the guy is healthy and well all day, next day he reports sick, and the day next to that returns to office healthy and well again. This sickness cannot be explained, because if the sickness was serious, it would not go away in one day without leaving any mark; if it was so small, then the person should have attended the office. The case of casual leaves is even more dubious. Most office workers only make sure they avail the entire quota of allocated leaves because they take it as a matter of right. 

Absenteeism of office staff is an irritant, but absenteeism among factory workers hurts the output immediately. The number of workers and their work allocation is done on a rather tight basis, and if one operator is absent, a whole line may likely be affected. 

Some data from Asia highlights the problem.

India – A 2022 report indicated that absenteeism rates in Indian factories can range from 10% to 15%, particularly in labor-intensive industries such as textiles and manufacturing. Another study by Jorge Tamayo, of Harvard Business School, and colleagues endorsed the same. They found that the absenteeism was also related to cultural factors such as area specific cultural and religious events which are not even known in other areas. 

Pakistan – Research shows an average absenteeism rate of around 15% in manufacturing sectors, largely due to poor health conditions and inadequate workplace policies. 

China – A survey from 2021 found that absenteeism in Chinese manufacturing was as high as 18%, often due to the long working hours and stressful conditions.

Bangladesh – The garment industry, a major economic contributor, experiences absenteeism rates of up to 20%, partly driven by health issues and workplace fatigue.

The case of absenteeism among office staff and factory workers is not the same and should be studied separately. Among office staff, it may be more like lack of motivation, or lack of future growth prospects, or lack of interesting work, or plain delinquency. 

Reasons for high incidence of absenteeism among factory workers may include the following:

Health – most workers come from lower strata of the society where their nutritional status is already poor. When they do hard work for sustained time, their health breaks down and they are forced to take time out to recover. Becoming absent for genuine sickness is double jeopardy for workers; they lose income because of salary deduction, and they have to spend money on treatment.

Family Health Issues – due to poor living conditions, the entire family is at risk of contracting seasonal diseases, such as malaria, dengue, gastroenteritis etc. The breadwinner of the family may also be the carer and may need to spend time with the sick person.

Family Events – the emphasis on social obligations is much higher among lower income groups. The family events like deaths and marriages and childbirth are celebrated more fervently, requiring everyone to be present.

Stressful Work – all factory work is stressful. Repetitive tasks are performed every day under poor conditions, and by the time a worker leaves the factory, she/he is completely exhausted. 

Poor Work Conditions – most factories all over Asia, Middle East, South America are designed like torture cells. Lighting, ventilation, cooling/heating is never up to mark. Supervisors are rude and cruel and treat workers badly. Physical and sexual harassment is common and considered part of the job. The workers work out of sheer economic compulsion, not due to any delight

Strategies to Cope with Absenteeism

Better Job Designs

It is time that the organizations revisit their job designs, hierarchical structure, and the way the work is distributed and accomplished. This is particularly relevant to office workers who are more educated and have the desire to grow.

Improved Workplace Conditions

Addressing poor working conditions is key, particularly in manufacturing sectors. Enhancing safety measures, ventilation, lighting, and ergonomics can lead to fewer health-related absences. Modernizing factories to meet better labor standards has been a growing trend to tackle absenteeism in some places; the others need to follow.

Offering Ample Food

Food scarcity is a tangible problem. In factories, where meals are offered, the one meal taken at the factory, is the only proper meal most workers have. It is therefore very important incentive for them which they would not like to miss. A reasonably good meal in ample quantity is a good anti-absenteeism tool.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Offering flexible work hours or hybrid work models can decrease absenteeism in office settings. Many companies in countries like Malaysia and South Korea have successfully implemented these strategies, resulting in reduced stress levels and improved attendance.

Incentive Programs

Rewarding consistent attendance through bonuses, extra vacation days, or recognition can be an effective motivator. For example, several companies in China have successfully used attendance bonuses to encourage workers to reduce absences.

Employee Engagement and Communication

Absenteeism is often linked to low employee morale. Regular feedback sessions, team-building activities, and open communication channels can make workers feel valued, reducing the likelihood of unplanned absences.

Childcare Support

In many Asian countries, absenteeism is linked to family responsibilities. Offering childcare facilities or support can help reduce absences, especially in countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, where workers often have limited childcare options. Daycare facilities for children of working mothers is a dire need. Though fewer organizations have made such arrangements but is a very helpful tool.

Sum Up

Absenteeism is a major issue, causing financial losses and reputation loss due to missing deadlines. It is a nightmare for supervisors to keep finding replacements for the missing workers. 

There are no simple solutions, but by adopting a combination of several strategies, companies can significantly reduce absenteeism while enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity across diverse work environments.

Concluded.

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