Absence management in manufacturing

Under-staffed production and assembly lines run slower. When staff don’t turn up to move goods off the line, they can pile up fast. Quotas are missed, and contracts can be compromised as a result. The constant and inexorable demand to produce often requires high numbers of people on linear or concurrent processes, often expanded with temporary workers to meet seasonal and peak demands. The sector is dominated by shift working and already faces issues of high staff turnover especially at the low-skilled end, which makes enforcing attendance policies a huge challenge.

Absence can happen for many reasons – from minor illness, musculoskeletal problems, accidents and long-term health issues, and mental health problems including stress. All employers are being increasingly affected by demographic changes such as ageing, obesity and rising levels of diabetes – adding to the pressures.

Absence is often an early indicator of associated issues and frequently leads to parallel health cases and HR cases including disciplinary, grievance and other employee relations matters – all to be managed concurrently.

Managing the health of manufacturing employees

A factory or manufacturing environment may contain hazards. Effective health management in manufacturing means knowing exactly who is working where, on what and with what risks. Everybody must be alert and attentive while working equipment, while fatigue or inattention due to feeling unwell can rapidly become dangerous.

It’s time to do more than the minimum.

Putting health at the centre of your workforce strategy is key to reducing the risks and costs of absence, retaining and attracting the staff you need to thrive.

Doing more than the minimum means getting proactive and monitoring health constantly and consistently, not just reacting. You need accurate data, smart insights and appropriate platforms – and your standard HR and enterprise systems were never designed for either.

Can you answer all these vital questions about every employee?

  • Are they fit for work?
  • Are they at risk?
  • Have you checked?
  • Can you prove it?

Manufacturing HR case management

HR teams in manufacturing businesses have their hands full supporting a complex workforce comprised of widely varying skill levels. Supporting both HR and line managers with the right systems is essential if they are to help you maintain productivity, retain scarce skills, and protect you from employee relations risks.

Empactis HR Case Manager helps to manage every type of HR case effectively, from disciplinary and performance to grievances. HR teams can not only maintain a fully integrated and complete overview but easily manage essential communication and information flows, involve legal and other advisers as needed – and connect cases to associated issues such as employee health and unplanned absence. They can focus on added value, while line managers are better supported to engage with their staff and collaborate around cases with their HR partners.

How Empactis can help manufacturing firms

The Empactis platform can help manufacturing firms to:

Explore them for yourself below – or contact us to discuss their potential value to your organisation.