System Concepts wins Absence Strategy Management Award

We were delighted to win the Award for Best Absence Management Strategy at the November 2009 Pay Awards.  The judges said

It was impossible to separate the two winners.  They were tackling absence from a different viewpoint, but both have made real changes for the better.

Within our absence management strategy we focussed on four issues:

1. Stress

We began a stress reduction strategy in 2006 using the HSE stress management standards.  We questionnaire-surveyed all staff and ran focus groups to generate ideas for reducing stress levels and to involve more people in deciding suitable controls.  The Board then made informed decisions regarding control measures and implemented these.  We repeated the survey in 2008.  This approach improved our sickness absence rates and has helped to reduce stress.

2.  Musculoskeletal disorders

To help combat musculoskeletal disorders we complete display screen equipment, manual handling and home working assessments for all of our staff on an annual basis.  These assessments identify any measures including equipment needed to ensure a person is comfortable while working.  We also provide manual handling training.

3.  Sickness and return to work

We revised our sickness absence and return to work procedures to implement best practice.  We use best practice principles (reviewing absence data, keeping in regular contact, contacting GPs, using occupational health support, holding informal and formal return-to-work interviews agreeing return-to-work plans, planning a range of ‘lighter’ duties and reasonable adjustments etc) to manage absence fairly across the company. 

4.  Nutrition

We provide free fruit to all our employees when in the office and if away from the office staff can claim fruit back on expenses.  This encourages healthy choices when people have to eat “on the go”.

Wellness benefits package

We also reviewed our wellness benefits package for staff to encourage them to live a healthy and balanced life.  The package includes:

• encouraging sporting activities
• matched sponsorship and work organised events
• income protection insurance

• flexible working and family-friendly policies.

Communication

We have a steering group that includes two directors, one senior consultant and one consultant.  We have asked all staff for their input and have run briefings on all the key topics.

Our stress surveys and implemented actions have been extremely well-received by staff.  They have seen improvements in the support they receive from peers and managers and feel engaged in the process.  Improvements in mobile equipment and IT support have helped to improve productivity and reduce working hours.

The business benefits

Our sickness absence statistics showed a dramatic decline since July 2008 from a rate of 6.2 days per person per annum (to June 2006) to 2.1 days per person per year (to June 2009).  This represents a cost saving of approximately £45,000 in sick pay costs, and when the extra availability for client work is taken into account a potential revenue uplift of approximately £60,000.

System Concepts’ main motivation is to continue to do interesting and challenging projects which make it fun for people to come to work.  By winning this award we show our employees, potential recruits and our clients that we value our staff and focus on best practice.  What makes it special is the effort expended and results achieved given the size of our company.  

If you would like us to help you design, implement or enhance an absence management strategy for your organisation, please contact contact us

Last updated: December, 2009

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