Inside this issue...

-    5 ways sick staff impact on your business

Dear reader,

If you’re a woman, I hope you had a well-deserved rest yesterday. Speaking of time off from work, I read a very interesting article recently on encouraging employees to take sick leave. I found it so fascinating, I’ve also posted it on my blog (www.christelfouche.com).

Bottom line: You should encourage employees to take sick leave

I don’t mean allowing employees to abuse sick leave (you know the kind who seem to always fall sick on a Friday or Monday?).

But for those non-abusers…Dr. Mary Capelli-Schellpfeffer (medical director of the Loyola University Health System Occupational Health Services) says employees who come to work sick are more likely to harm your business than help you.

5 ways sick staff impact on your business

Your sick employee may think he’s showing his dedication by coming to work even when he’s sick, but he’ll actually impact negatively on your business. Your workforce could be affected in five ways:

1.    They could all become infected
2.    Their job performance will suffer
3.    Productivity will drop
4.    Creativity will suffer
5.    Your financial stability will be compromised

Here’s what to do…

Keep open communication channels, and encourage employees who are sick to use their sick leave. Make them aware of attendance policies and sick days. You’ll be surprised how many employees aren’t even aware they’re entitled to sick leave because they’ve never had the need to use it.

You should also put contingency plans in place to ensure things run smoothly, such as working from home and making small changes to prepare for illness. This will protect individual employees AND your business.

In the name of safety,

Christel Fouché