ABSENTEEISM HAS FALLEN by over two days per year.

The level of absenteeism fell to 2.35% or 5.5 days per year across all industry sectors, down from 2.58% in 2009.

Days off 

There has been a fall of over two days per year, from 3.38% or 7.8 days per employee in 2004, in the last 10 years.

Employers’ group Ibec analysed data provided by 452 companies employing almost 100,000 employees and was carried out this year, based on full year data for the year, ending 31 December 2013.

“The crisis appears to have led to a reduced level of absenteeism, however, absence management remains a serious issue for many employers. While not all absence can be eliminated, there remains room for improvement,” said Ibec Head of Industrial Relations Maeve McElwee.

The trade union said absenteeism represents a significant direct cost to employers, as well as creating additional costs that are more difficult to quantify, such as the cost of reduced quality of output.

Pressure 

They said that it leads to increased pressure on colleagues and increased administration time in replacing absent employees.

McElwee said employers have introduced measures to promote better employee relations, with many putting in place better supports for employees such Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), wellness programmes and worklife balance initiatives.

These initiatives contribute to an overall healthier workforce, which in turn minimises absenteeism.

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