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HCM 450 Management Problems in Health Care Industry.
Spring 2002.
Assignment #2.
Abstract.
Chronic absenteeism is one of many significant problems that health care mangers must learn to confront. Interaction with employees and motivation plays a major role in combating absenteeism. Healthcare managers can always relate to many health care management theories, concepts and practices for guidance. Management must understand and know how to utilize different motivational techniques to develop a thriving healthcare industry.
Chronic Absenteeism.
In management, one of the responsibilities of a manager is to be aware of anything that takes place within the department. One of the issues that a manager must focus on is the chronic absence of the employee. What is chronic absenteeism? American Dictionary (2000) defines absenteeism as "the habitual failure to appear, especially for work or other regular duty." Traditionally, managers have been interested in absenteeism because of its cost to organization, while academic researchers have been interested in absenteeism on the assumption that it indicates something about employee's social or psychological attachment to the organization (Helms, 2000).
There are many factors that contribute to voluntary absenteeism. It could be internal or external causes, personality problems, immaturity, hypochondria, or poor motivation. Extrinsic, or external, causes may be from lack of attendance policies, low pay, or unpleasant working conditions. Intrinsic, or internal, causes are factors such as job boredom, poor supervision, physical exhaustion, or poor inter- or intra-group work relations. Another cause of absenteeism is personality problems, which could be drug-related or alcohol related abuse, family problems/illness, or personality conflicts. Hypochondria is when employee will use the maximum sick leave allowed, complain of body aches and pain while at work to get sympathy from supervisors.