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Absence makes the business grow weaker

Top tips how to keep your business and workforce happy in 2011

Staff absence costs businesses on average ten to twelve billion pounds per year and with the recent cold snap, companies now know more than ever, just how much it can affect their bottom line. Blizzard excuses may be legitimate, but what about those serial offenders who continually ring in sick without one? Well, North By North West, a team of professional commercial investigators, are on hand with advice to reduce absenteeism in your workplace this year.

Try these ten easy steps and watch your employee attendance rate improve:
- Regularly check attendance records to identify any patterns of absence.
- Assess the working conditions and improve them if necessary. A good environment results in a good worker.
- Set up a suggestion box so employees can offer ways to improve their working conditions.
- Provide Toolbox Talks on a weekly basis so employees can discuss problems with supervisors.
- Conduct regular training to maintain motivation.
- Implement a confidential reporting system for employees - they can then submit concerns/suggestions with complete anonymity.
- Set up a radio or TV to keep employees updated on important sporting and news events. 
- Be more vigilant in the summer months, as sudden absenteeism is more prevalent in good weather. 
- Be extra aware of special events like world cup matches, test matches and royal weddings!
- Always call the employee as soon as possible and listen for background noises which could suggest that they’re not being entirely truthful about their location.

If you’re still finding it difficult to effectively achieve ‘absence management’ after following this advice, then North By North West’s one day Basic Surveillance Awareness course in 2011, could be the answer to all your problems. Taking place on February 16th at Doncaster’s Ramada Hotel, it’ll teach you all you need to know so you can carry out your own investigation into suspicious absenteeism.

Private investigator hire can be costly, so North By North West’s aim is to provide a course for businesses so that they can have a trained ‘appointed person’ on site to carry out their very own assessment. Senior members of staff will be given the confidence to conduct an initial surveillance themselves in order to confirm whether a further investigation is required. Attendance on the course and having the resulting ‘appointed person’ on your team, will benefit your business as that staff member can now: 
- be deployed as soon as possible until a professional team arrives.
- save the business private investigator fees if they can confirm the employee is where he/she should be.
- recognise whether there is a problem, and therefore be able to give advice regarding whether a professional needs to be hired i.e. to gain photographic and video evidence.

Ray Castlehow, Director of North By Northwest, says “having any member of staff off sick is usually a nightmare for a business, whether it’s the organisational problems it creates or the negative effects on both morale and the profits. If it’s long term absence, then a professional investigation maybe what’s needed. People who are dishonestly receiving statutory sick pay from their employers are committing fraud – with our help though they can investigate it and stop it, saving them not only money but also strengthening their sickness management policy.”

For more information on the one day Basic Surveillance Awareness course at the Ramada Hotel, Doncaster Finningley Airport, please visit http://www.nbynw.co.uk/subscribe.html or email enquiries to training@nbynw.co.uk Attendance is £250.00 per person.