"My employee has called in sick, but I doubt he is really sick"

It often happens that I, SME Labor & Health Advisor Michelle Peters, receive a call from an employer expressing doubts about the credibility of an employee's sick report. As an advisor, I am then expected to check whether the employee is really sick. By being on top of things, the employer hopes that the employee will return to work quickly. From the employer's perspective I can understand the question, but being on top of it does not have the effect hoped for. Fortunately, De Arbodienst has an approach that does work!

Doubts about calling in sick

A sick call always means that something is wrong; whatever the employee's reason for calling in sick. The moment an employer doubts the sick report, it already indicates distrust or judgment. As a supervisor, you can then ask yourself where this distrust comes from and whether perhaps a conversation with the employee should have taken place earlier? When I contact the employee I do so without judgment and with confidence. The employee feels heard and is open to take the responsibility needed for a speedy recovery in the workplace.

Profit for both parties

If there is a non-medical reason for calling in sick, it is important to be open and understanding. From there, solutions can emerge. As an advisor, I support discussions between employer and employee. Both are held up to a mirror in a safe setting, which creates growth and opportunities. In practice, this has so often yielded gains for both parties. As an employer, limiting absenteeism starts as early as the application process. By presenting the right questions and situations to the applicant, the employer quickly gets a picture of a potential employee's DNA. Does that DNA match your company's values? Then it makes sense to hire the candidate. Are there any doubts? Then my advice is to look further anyway.

Leverage the differences for the best results

In an SME, it is especially important to have a group of employees together who share the same work ethic. This enhances cooperation and enables productive work. However, this does not mean that everyone has to be the same. Good leadership ensures that the very differences within the team are utilized to achieve the best results!

De Arbodienst is at your service

As an SME entrepreneur, do you need support in discussions with your employees? The consultants of De Arbodienst are at your service. Would you like to know what we can do for you? Then feel free to contact us.