Do I have a sick culture?

Hello Aunty, 

Three years ago I removed myself from the day-to-day running of the business to concentrate my energies into family, another venture and trying to focus on what’s important.

One of the outcomes is that when my staff call in sick they no longer have to speak to me over the phone but to one of their co-workers.

The direct result is that over the last two years sick leave has doubled. I know it’s never going to be perfect as I’m not there to set a standard or take the call but what can I do moving forward?

From Frustrated,
Sick Culture

Dear Frustrated,

You put your finger on it. You don’t just have sick people, you have a sick culture. Who is in charge now that you are not? Employees need to know that someone is watching, someone is keeping count and someone will call them on taking sickies that are unwarranted. No matter what your structure, all people need to be accountable to someone: employees to a boss, a boss to their board, the board to shareholders and so on. Accountability and transparency are the key factors that make business go around.

First of all appoint someone in charge. Then get them to send around an email stating that sick leave has doubled and needs to be reduced. Explain the sick leave policy and provide them with a person in authority (hopefully the same person sending the email) to whom they must now report. Always get them to call – no email. Be very strict about asking for doctor’s certificates when they are away. Also enforce unpaid leave if they exceed their sick or family leave allocation (except of course in exceptional circumstances).

Secondly, make sure you are not blaming everyone when there are just a few chronic offenders. If that is the case deal with them separately. Ask them what is wrong and how you can help. It may well be the case that a staff member is suffering from depression or have family troubles and you might discuss alternatives such as a four-day week to allow them to get treatment in their own time.

Make sure the record keeping set up to monitor sick leave is excellent and that you check the figures at least once a month.

Be very clear in your own mind that every sick day lost is a big cost to the company and the employee who engages in sickies is not fulfilling their contract to the business (ie. they work and you pay them for that work). Don’t forget all employees have an alternative. They can set up their own businesses and work whenever they like – and not be paid for sick days, holidays and family days plus the other huge benefits that come with being an employee.

Be smart,
Your Aunty B

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