search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
      • Enter Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
      • Enter the Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Columns

The Employee Attendance Dilemma

towfiqu-barbhuiya-C-zwLtPSErc-unsplash.jpg

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash.

July 1, 2022

As one might expect, the pandemic made 2020 and 2021 unique years for workers calling in sick, but employee attendance has long proven a nettlesome issue for employers. The average number of sick days per employee annually is 5.2, and one in four workers admit to being late for work at least once per month. Survey data indicates that an average of 1.5 million workers per month missed work due to personal illness in 2020. 

Absent and tardy employees result in over $225 billion in lost productivity each year. Absenteeism has significant and costly effects, such as diminished product quality or business services and weakened employee morale among those employees forced to pick up the slack for missing workers. A SHRM study found that on average, supervisors spend between four and five hours per week dealing with absences. That equals more than five weeks per year of a supervisor’s time!

Employers have often historically responded to absenteeism through progressive discipline, but this approach is proving less effective in recent times with an estimated 9 million job openings available and employees jumping to new jobs at record pace. In these circumstances, the threat of termination loses much of its impact, and it has forced employers to be more tolerant of absences that would otherwise result in disciplinary action. Employees know that another job with competitive pay and benefits is likely available just down the road. 

Employers have also historically used incentives to address attendance problems. Some have used hourly pay incentives, while others have used lump sum bonuses for perfect attendance over a specified period. Other incentives for perfect attendance have included such things as flat screen televisions, additional vacation days, additional paid days off and gift cards. Anecdotal reports from employers suggest such bonuses generate short-term success but this generally dissipates over time. One drawback of such bonuses is the administrative headache of calculating the regular rate for overtime purposes under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to account for the bonus payment. This can generate substantial liability over time if not handled correctly. Despite their limitations, many employers continue to use incentives to incentivize better attendance.

In recent years, employers have begun to more frequently include regular attendance as an “essential function” in some job descriptions as a means of rendering an employee “not qualified to perform the job” as the basis for termination where an employee is regularly absent. This strategy has been generally successful in circumventing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claims, as federal courts consistently conclude the employer’s reasonable judgment regarding what job functions are truly “essential,” should be accepted. 

Nonetheless, there is no perfect solution to attendance issues, and thus, employers must be proactive in setting their expectations clearly during the onboarding process. In addition to being an integral part of the employee handbook, employee attendance policies should be emphasized during employee meetings or town halls. Employers must also ensure their supervisors receive sufficient training on managing absenteeism. Under most attendance policies, employees generally must call their direct supervisor to report an absence. That personal call presents the opportunity for the supervisor to tell the employee that he or she will be missed and briefly describe the impact of their absence on the workplace. When the employee returns, the supervisor should make a point of welcoming them back, encourage good attendance in the future, and again discuss the impact on fellow workers. The conversation should not take on an accusatory tone since most absences are for legitimate reasons.

If the absence is for an extended period, the supervisor should maintain communication with the employee during the absence. The focus of the contact should always be the employee’s well-being. Any implication that the supervisor is pressuring the employee to return could lead to claims of interference with legally established leave under the ADA, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and/or a similar state law. 

A final issue to consider in addressing employee absences is the possibility that the poor attendance is symptomatic of a more serious problem the employee may be experiencing. Frequent absences could indicate drug or alcohol dependency issues. The absence could be caused by undiagnosed medical issues or family issues. It might even be the result of a conflict with a coworker or supervisor. When discussing an absence with a returning employee, the supervisor should tactfully try to determine if there is some underlying problem causing the absences. This information would be relevant to any contemplated disciplinary action, as well as to a decision to refer the employee to a medical provider or assistance program. The employee’s well-being should always remain the priority. 

By setting clear expectations on employee attendance from the outset, periodically re-emphasizing the effects of absences on the operation and co-workers, and making attendance management the supervisor’s responsibility, you may be able to limit unnecessary absences in your workplace.

KEYWORDS: employee relations incentives legal issues in AEC roofing industry wages

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Columns
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Steep Slope Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

QXO closed its acquisition of Beacon Building Supply on April 29, 2025.

QXO Closes Beacon Acquisition, Rebrands Immediately; Jacobs to Ring NYSE Bell

New executive orders signed by President Trump will likely further constrict an already tight labor market for the construction industry.

New Executive Orders Will Further Squeeze Labor Force

QXO CEO Brad Jacobs will share the company’s strategic vision today at the Wolfe Research Global Transportation & Industrials Conference in New York following its acquisition of Beacon Roofing Supply..

QXO’s Brad Jacobs Charts Growth at Wolfe Research Conference

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • Smart Business: The Cash Flow Dilemma

    See More
  • Legally Speaking: Paying an Employee Who Does Not Have a Social Security Number

    See More
  • firing employees

    "Just Cause" Employee Termination in Roofing

    See More

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • December 3, 2025

    The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

    Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing