Report

 

AN ANALYSIS OF CORPORATE SICK-LEAVE POLICIES Recent Trends in the Business World Linda C. Motonaga January 16, 2011 Corporate sick-leave policies must be studied carefully in order to maximize employee productivity and minimize excessive absenteeism. The reasons for absences and the responsiveness of employers to the needs of the employees must be examined in order to determine some practical alternatives to current policies. REASONS FOR ABSENCE There are many reasons employees are absent from work. Illness and personal emergency are common reasons for absenteeism. Illness. Illness is often caused by all the stress in the work place. Employees may have to cares for parents and children. Personal Needs. Recent studies have also shown that absences due to personal needs are increasing. Two important reasons must be addressed.        1. Should employers rethink their sick-leave policies?     2. How can a newly instituted sick-leave policy be             more responsive to the needs of the employee? However, recent surveys have shown that about 28 percent of reported sick time isn’t due to illness. This percentage is on the rise. Recent studies have also shown that absences due to personal needs and stress are increasing. Also, many workers believe that they are “entitled” to a day off now and then. Perhaps it is time for employers to revamp their sick-leave policies and make these policies more responsive to the needs of the employees. RESONSIVENESS OF EMPLOYERS If employees are finding it necessary to take sick days when they are not ill, it makes sense to conclude that possibly employers either are not aware of why absenteeism exists or have chosen not to respond to