Comments on: Simple policy tweak improves workers’ health, productivity http://www.hrmorning.com/simple-policy-tweak-improves-workers-health-productivity/ Your daily dose of HR Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:43:13 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Anna http://www.hrmorning.com/simple-policy-tweak-improves-workers-health-productivity/comment-page-1/#comment-33010 Anna Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:23:01 +0000 http://www.hrmorning.com/?p=6374#comment-33010 We allow hourly employees to take time off without penalty for doctor's appointments or school activities, etc provided they make up the missed time within that week (and it has to be pre-arranged). If there is no extra work available for them, the missed time counts against their attendance. Most departments will work with them so they are usually able to make up the missed time. We are a small manufacturer (60 employees) and only run 1 shift. We allow hourly employees to take time off without penalty for doctor’s appointments or school activities, etc provided they make up the missed time within that week (and it has to be pre-arranged). If there is no extra work available for them, the missed time counts against their attendance. Most departments will work with them so they are usually able to make up the missed time. We are a small manufacturer (60 employees) and only run 1 shift.

]]> By: CoriHR http://www.hrmorning.com/simple-policy-tweak-improves-workers-health-productivity/comment-page-1/#comment-32634 CoriHR Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:36:46 +0000 http://www.hrmorning.com/?p=6374#comment-32634 Hi cj, I am not sure if this would work in your line of business or not but what we do (we do have a flexible work schedule option) is if we are not provided with at least a week's notice that an employee needs time off, we require that the employee finds someone to work their shift that day/night, however the manager needs to approve the replacement due to overtime and such. If they cant find anyone then they must work it. We do have a lot of "on Call, as needed" staff so if you don't have that, it may not work. It's never been a problem, employees have always found someone who will cover for them. Hi cj,

I am not sure if this would work in your line of business or not but what we do (we do have a flexible work schedule option) is if we are not provided with at least a week’s notice that an employee needs time off, we require that the employee finds someone to work their shift that day/night, however the manager needs to approve the replacement due to overtime and such. If they cant find anyone then they must work it. We do have a lot of “on Call, as needed” staff so if you don’t have that, it may not work. It’s never been a problem, employees have always found someone who will cover for them.

]]> By: cj http://www.hrmorning.com/simple-policy-tweak-improves-workers-health-productivity/comment-page-1/#comment-32559 cj Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:59:06 +0000 http://www.hrmorning.com/?p=6374#comment-32559 Flex policies work if you are in a large company. As a manufacturer with less than 50 employees, flex time is not an option. In today's economy, we can not afford to accommodate employees and meet our production needs. Turnover has never been an issue -- average 5 employees a year, none in management or the office for 4 years and the one who did leave 4 years ago want to come back (the grass wasn't greener) -- so having it available has not been a "demand". But, for the young, single parents, we do struggle accommodating them to meet the needs of their children (ie doctor's appointments, school programs, athletics, etc.). Our attendance policy is a point based system that I have been told by the unemployment office is one of the "most generous" plans they have ever seen. Does anyone have a suggestion have a plan already for the "small companies"? Flex policies work if you are in a large company. As a manufacturer with less than 50 employees, flex time is not an option. In today’s economy, we can not afford to accommodate employees and meet our production needs. Turnover has never been an issue — average 5 employees a year, none in management or the office for 4 years and the one who did leave 4 years ago want to come back (the grass wasn’t greener) — so having it available has not been a “demand”. But, for the young, single parents, we do struggle accommodating them to meet the needs of their children (ie doctor’s appointments, school programs, athletics, etc.). Our attendance policy is a point based system that I have been told by the unemployment office is one of the “most generous” plans they have ever seen. Does anyone have a suggestion have a plan already for the “small companies”?

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