With 1 in every 12 minutes spent on-line, creating an ‘always on’ culture how does this affect our employees?

With stats like this and claims that technology is one of the biggest factors encouraging ‘presenteeism’ in the UK workforce, how does this affect our employees when they feel they cannot ‘switch off’ even when unwell?It is estimated that 80% of employees continue to work whilst being unwell which impacts both their performance and well-being.

With one recent client we calculated that during 2012 the cost of sickness absence (based on average salary rates) was more than £660,000!

But it’s not just the financial effects, what about:-

·         Employee engagement?

·         Employee well-being?

·         Impact on productivity levels?

·         Burden on other team members?

·         Impact on customer service?

·         Costs of providing temporary cover to support the absence?

·         Impact on delivery times?

Managing employee absence and well-being is a partnership – with both parties winners when managed well.

What experiences have you had?  Do you think employee absence is just as a result of technology or are there other factors?  Economic climate?  Financial worries? Personal dependency challenges? Share your thoughts with us today.

Read our October newsletter Managing Absence and Employee Well-being for guidance and tips on how you can improve absence management and employee well-being.