To answer your questions on the topic of absence management, we've asked our expert, Kim Stattner, strategy and product development leader for absence management, to respond with the most current developments. If you'd like to ask a question regarding absence management or on any pressing human resources challenges you might be facing, email us, and we'll share responses to select questions on a regular basis.
Question: What is absence management?
Answer: That can be answered a few different ways. First, absence management represents the various aspects of time off programs available for employees to use based on need-leaves of absence, sick time, vacation time, short-term disability, long-term disability, and/or workers' compensation.
Absence management can also be thought of as the means in which these programs are administered and managed. This includes such things as substantiating serious health conditions, tracking time off in an appropriate and accurate manner, enabling compliance, and leveraging clinical and non-clinical resources. This ensures the accurate amount of time off and/or income replacement benefits are provided to employees during their absence.
Question: Why do employers need to pay attention to employee absences?
Answer: Employee absence impacts an organization's productivity and can cause an increase in cost, resulting from overtime pay and/or temporary workers. In addition, employee absence can affect other employees' morale, creating an impact on productivity levels. Finally, employee absence might be a reflection of opportunities for individuals to better manage their health; employers can learn from this aggregate information and leverage it as they develop strategies to invest in the health of their workforce.
Question: Isn't it difficult to track and manage absence?
Answer: It absolutely can be difficult to track and manage absence. Employers need to have robust technology tools to record the various increments of time off allowable to employees, influenced by company plans and federal, state, and municipal legislation. In addition, the technology should have the ability to track time used, and identify remaining time available at an individual employee level.
In addition to tracking time, managing absence can also be a challenge for employers. Without access to clinical resources, it becomes difficult for employers to determine whether a medical condition prevents an employee from working, how long an employee needs to be away from work and when it is medically appropriate for an employee to safely return to the workplace.
Question: How does absence management improve workforce productivity?
Answer: Absence management improves workforce productivity by providing the integration of tools and resources not only to support employees requiring time away from work but also to facilitate their successful return. The absence management process can assist healthcare providers in their understanding of the work requirements of an employee's occupation, specifically as these functions may relate to supporting a potential modified work schedule or job accommodation. The ability to share this information leads to collaboration among the absence manager, the treating provider and the employer to achieve the most desirable outcome for the employee - a successful and timely return to a productive lifestyle.
About Our Expert
Kim Stattner is a nationally recognized leader in the Absence Management industry. She is responsible for product development and strategy within Hewitt's Absence Management business, capitalizing on more than 17 years of experience in the marketplace. Kim has authored articles on the topic of absence management and presented at national conferences as a speaker on Health & Productivity Management. She earned a B.A. degree from Loyola University of Chicago.
