Motivation ''key to managing sickness absence''

Focusing on motivation can engender a can-do attitude among staff.

According to Axa Icas Wellbeing medical director Dr Mark Simpson, an "alignment of expectations" is the key when an employee is struck down with an ailment.

He made the remarks at a round-table meeting held by his firm with members of the British Medical Association (BMA) Occupational Medicine Committee and the Charterted Institute of Personnel and Development, reports Personnel Today.

Dr Simpson said that a study he had read, based on US data, showed that those who pick up injuries at work can take four times as long to return as those who developed the same problem through sports.

Meanwhile, Dr Paul Nicholson from the BMA added that a positive attitude is useful in overcoming these issues.

He gave the example of a call centre operative breaking their leg being signed off sick as a result.

"There''s never been any thought about what work they do, or whether their employer could arrange with a co-worker or a taxi company to get them in to work," Dr Nicholson remarked.

Last month, Helium Business Management said that motivation techniques could include training and team exercises. Back