Absenteeism 'a problem for accountants'

News Article - 27 October 2006
Category: Business

Just under a third of accountants view absenteeism in the workplace as a problem, a study has found.

Research conducted by recruitment firm Robert Half Finance & Accounting found that 33 per cent of 3,000 finance workers questioned saw being absent from work as a key issue, offering suggestions on how the situation could be rectified, Accountancy Age reports.

Proposals included monitoring absenteeism and discussing the situation with employees who are often away from work, offering flexible working hours and giving rewards to workers who have a 100 per cent attendance rate.

David Jones, managing director of Robert Half Finance & Accounting, said: "Absenteeism is a major problem in the UK and employers need to take serious steps to address it.

"Not only should companies put in place longer term policies to ensure that their staff are healthier and happier and so are less likely to take time off work, they must consider the negative impact absenteeism has on the rest of the workforce."

The government's health and safety executive advocate that businesses should work together with their employees to improve their performance, build healthy and safe workplaces and produce better relations in the workplace if they want to tackle absenteeism.

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