Working Absenteeism
Absenteeism continues to be a major industrial and economic problem. The causes are numerous, but where worker satisfaction is high, absenteeism is generally low. The problem is all too frequently dismissed by workers as a fault with the system, but management generally takes a far more serious view. Absent workers put a strain on their workmates who are generally required to take over the duties of the missing person. With less than the required number of workers available, the work process can be significantly retarded causing serious declines in productivity.
If you, the worker, are aware that you are taking time off work for sickies or because you are feeling just a bit off, then you should ask yourself what is wrong with your work situation. What is prompting you to be absent when you are basically fit for work? We can all have grey to black days. However, if these days occur every week or so, there is a problem somewhere.
Finding the cause of the absenteeism problem might be surprisingly difficult. Sometimes we bury issues deeply inside because they pose strong and serious threats to our confidence or self- esteem. If you think there is a problem and you can not identify it, talk to a close friend who knows you well, to a family member, to your doctor or to a psychologist. It is important to realise that being inappropriately absent from work can be a sign that something is wrong—in the way that body pain tells us our body is not functioning correctly. Don’t ignore the problem and hope that it will go away—do something about it.
If you don’t address the problem, your boss might. Hopefully your boss has your best interests at heart (as well as the interests of the organisation). If your boss raises the issue with you, take the opportunity to discuss the situation. There could be a solution available which you haven’t considered. Discuss plans which will encourage reliable work attendance. Additionally, deal with work issues which might be contributing to absenteeism, such as boredom.
Working Boredom
A frequent work problem which is often associated with absenteeism is boredom. Most jobs have their repetitive and boring aspects which simply must be done. However, your attitude about these less than stimulating tasks is paramount. Do you linger, loiter and lounge about before getting to the task? Or, do you say to yourself, ‘Yes, this is a boring task, but it must be done. Better get to it and get it over with!’ The latter approach might seem idealistic, but some variation on the theme can help you get to and through the boring aspects of your job. Let’s look at some other suggestions which you might implement to decrease boredom at work.
- Take an active role in policy and decision-making if possible.
- Ask your boss for more responsibility in your job.
- Look for new challenges, new approaches to your job.
- Maintain close relations with your workmates and discuss any work-related frustrations.
- Investigate the possibility of job-sharing, mixed duties, temporary secondment to another section and other plans to bring new stimulation to your job.
- Attend work-related educational courses to update your skills.
- If you have complaints, put them to your boss and the management. Many complaints have been the seed of positive and productive innovations at work, especially where management teams have been alert and sensitive to workers‘ issues.
- Make a list of the people in management who have shown an active interest in your work. If you think no-one is interested, discuss this with the management—it is a problem which they should address.
- Plan rewards for achieving specific targets at work. Focus on these rewards as an inducement to get through the boring tasks.
- Prepare an official citation which you can present to yourself and to other colleagues for `perseverence and persistence in the face of absolute boredom‘. Humour can make boredom more tolerable and transient.
Thus, every job will have its boring tasks, but your attitude towards these boring aspects is very important. Confront boredom firmly and positively and get through the tasks quickly and effectively. Boredom will exist as long as you remain passive and inactive. Attack the problem (not your boss!) and try to limit the boredom problem.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
A major Industrial and Economic problem: Absenteeism & Boredom
- Career Discovery Questions
- Beware of the gender trap continue...
- Great Managers Create a Safety Net
- Managing Stakeholder Relationship Part 2
- Making the Mentor Connection
- What sort of people get involved in network marketing?
- Practical Intelligence for On-the-Job Success
- Getting a Grant or low-Interest Loan, rising Money for small Business
- A Need for Today: Positive Discipline
- Always Stay on Top of Your Promotion
