Why your staff are taking ‘sickies’ – and how you can end it

On Monday, you’re likely to witness one of the most popular mass “sick days” on the calendar: the Monday before Melbourne Cup (alongside the Wednesday after). 

It’s a great moment for leaders to address the issue of absenteeism in a positive way, whether it is the Melbourne Cup or just an average Monday.

Leaders can manage absenteeism by taking a lateral approach to the issue: consider giving some of your staff the day off!

Take Gen Ys, for example. They love lifestyle. It is their “anchor”, by which I mean it is the one thing they will not let go of under any circumstances.

They integrate work into their lifestyle; they do not balance work and life.

Fun and being seen is where it’s at. And that is pretty likely to be Flemington over the next few weeks as the spring racing carnival unfolds.

Of course, employers need to have enough staff on any one day, so the issue is about flexibility.

Flexibility is the new order. Leaders should be inviting a discussion about flexibility.

Embrace transparency and openness: ask who needs to take off the Friday or Monday around Cup day.