Answer questions 1-4 of chapter 13, page 428 case 13.1.1. …
Answer questions 1-4 of chapter 13, page 428 case 13.1. 1. What additional information should Anna attempt to obtain regarding the absenteeism problem? 2. Advise Anna on the steps she should take to control absenteeism. Include in your answer the types of standards and strategies she should use.
Answer
To address the absenteeism problem, Anna should gather additional information to gain a comprehensive understanding of its underlying causes. This would enable her to develop effective strategies to control absenteeism within the organization. Some crucial information Anna should attempt to obtain includes the reasons for employee absences, patterns or trends in absenteeism, and the impact of absenteeism on productivity and performance.
By identifying the reasons for employee absences, Anna can better understand the root causes of the problem. She should consider gathering data on the specific types of absences, such as authorized leaves (e.g., vacation, personal days) versus unauthorized absences (e.g., sick days without medical certificates). Additionally, Anna should try to understand if there are any recurring patterns in absences, such as certain days of the week or times of the year that experience higher absenteeism rates.
To assess the impact of absenteeism on productivity and performance, Anna should collect qualitative and quantitative data. This could involve analyzing productivity metrics, such as sales figures or customer satisfaction ratings, in relation to periods of high absenteeism. Employee feedback through surveys or interviews can also provide valuable insights into how absenteeism affects team dynamics, workloads, and overall morale.
With this additional information, Anna can effectively develop strategies to control absenteeism. She should consider implementing both preventive and corrective measures. Preventive measures aim to address the underlying causes of absenteeism, while corrective measures focus on addressing individual instances of absence.
In terms of preventive measures, Anna should establish attendance standards and policies that communicate expectations clearly to employees. This could involve implementing a system to track and monitor absences, providing employees with information and resources for managing work-life balance, and offering incentives for meeting attendance targets.
To address the specific reasons for absenteeism, Anna could also consider implementing flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flexible working hours, to accommodate employee needs. Moreover, she should encourage open communication and collaboration within the organization to promote employee engagement and reduce stress levels, which can contribute to absenteeism.
In terms of corrective measures, Anna should establish disciplinary procedures for excessive and unauthorized absences. This could involve progressive disciplinary actions, such as verbal warnings, written warnings, and ultimately, termination if necessary. However, it is essential for Anna to ensure that such actions are implemented consistently and in line with applicable legal and ethical guidelines.
Overall, by obtaining additional information on the reasons for absenteeism and its impact on productivity, Anna can implement a comprehensive strategy for controlling absenteeism. This strategy should combine preventive measures to address the underlying causes of absenteeism and corrective measures to address individual instances of absence. By adopting this approach, Anna can effectively minimize absenteeism and enhance overall organizational performance.