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How Employee Tracking Software Can Help You Identify Absenteeism

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Absenteeism isn’t a new workplace issue. And while sick leaves and holidays are guaranteed and justifiable, frequent absences from work without any relevant reasons can cause unexpected costs, ruin your employees’ productivity and morale and affect your brand image in the long run.

Absenteeism is easy to spot in the office; empty chairs and desks are quite telling. But how to spot employees who frequently miss coming to work in remote or hybrid environments when they’re out of sight?

Deploying a remote workers’ time tracking app in your workflow may be a good idea. This time and activity tracking tool will help you identify early warning signs when it comes to excessive absenteeism from work. You should invest in this advanced technology for numerous reasons. Here you’ll find out how costly excessive absenteeism can be and how time-tracking apps can help you identify and tackle this issue.

The Cost of Excessive Absenteeism

According to a Gallup survey on the topic that involved over 94,000 workers across 14 major industries, the total cost of lost productivity due to absenteeism was $84 billion annually.

The survey also shows that the costs of absenteeism depend on the industry, with professional occupations topping this list with $24.2 billion lost annually. Managers and executives follow with $15.8 billion, while office workers’ absenteeism results in $8.1 billion lost annually.

There are visible and underlying costs associated with frequent absenteeism. Here are the predominant ones:

  • Salary for absent workers
  • Replacement workers – either paying overtime to other team members or temporary hiring temporary employees
  • Absenteeism management administrative costs

Besides these obvious costs, there are underlying costs of absenteeism that can seriously affect your business’s growth and profitability in the long run.

  • Decreased product or service quality due to understaffing and fatigue
  • Decreased productivity and employee engagement
  • Excessive manager time spent in training and overseeing the work of substitute workers.
  • Potential safety issues stemming from inadequately trained substitute employees rushing to finish incomplete tasks.
  • Decreased morale of other employees who have to work more to fill in for absent colleagues.

How to Identify and Minimize Absenteeism

The problem with absenteeism is that it can be hard to spot, especially if you’re running remote teams. Secondly, you can’t easily determine whether the reason for absenteeism is justifiable or not. But, work time tracking Survey Software can help you solve a significant part of this problem showing you potential patterns in employee absenteeism.

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This said, absenteeism doesn’t refer only to the situation when employees don’t show up for work. You can see that employees are prone to absenteeism if they start to work late or finish their shifts earlier. Or they may take numerous prolonged breaks during the day, chipping off their productive time. Luckily advanced time-tracking software can identify these behavioral patterns, and you can use tracking reports to address this issue, trying to find out reasons for this behavior and seek practical solutions to help your employees overcome this issue and get back on track with their work.

So what can you do to battle this invisible workplace issue, literally and metaphorically?

First, you need to make a culture shift focusing more on employees and their needs, taking care of their physical and psychological well-being, and helping them balance out their work and private life.

Focus on Mental Health

Employee mental health has become a focal point during the pandemic. Faced with numerous uncertainties and a severe health scare, employees needed to adapt to the changed circumstances that changed the workplace forever.

And while it’s a well-known fact that remote work offers increased work flexibility and autonomy, its downside is that many employees feel isolated and estranged from their colleagues. This feeling, paired with soaring anxiety, may cause serious mental health issues, including depression. And depression is a common reason for excessive absenteeism.

Numerous business leaders recognized the importance of employee mental health, offering one-on-one sessions with professionals to help their employees resolve their issues and become productive and engaged in their work again.

You may not invest in skilled professionals to tackle this problem, but you can create a psychologically safe work environment where every employee will feel free to talk about various problems knowing that they will be heard and their opinions will be appreciated.

Provide Enhanced Work/Life Balance

Remote work offered improved work-life balance. This is one of the indisputable benefits of this work model. Employees working from home can save the time they would otherwise spend commuting, finish their tasks, and dedicate more time to their beloved people or hobbies.

The flip side, however, is that the lines between work and private life may become blurred, especially when employees think they have to be available for work 24/7 to prove to their bosses that they actually work. This misconception can lead to overworking and, ultimately, burnout which can be the cause of excessive absenteeism.

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You can use time tracking records to identify employees who stay after hours frequently being in danger of burnout. You can talk to your employees and prevent this serious condition by taking the following steps:

  • Encourage your employees to respect fixed working hours, emphasizing that you don’t want or expect any work-related communication after the shift ends.
  • Show your employees different time management techniques that can help them be more efficient and achieve more in less time.
  • If you notice that they’re overwhelmed with the long list of tasks and projects in their pipeline, redistribute a portion of their workload to others with more free time on their hands.

Final Words

Absenteeism is a serious workplace issue that costs the American economy billions of dollars annually. Employees have a guaranteed right to occasionally miss work due to justifiable reasons like illness, childcare, or to take care of personal affairs. On the other hand, excessive absence from work without valid reasons can be devastating to business profitability and efficiency, burdening the rest of the team additionally and causing employee morale and engagement to plummet.

If you want to avoid these dire consequences of excessive absenteeism, start by identifying employees prone to excessive absenteeism and find out their reasons for this behavior. This can be a challenging task because this negative workplace trend isn’t easily discernable, especially in remote teams. Luckily you can rely on remote workers’ time tracking apps to record employees’ time and attendance and discover potential early signs of deliberate absenteeism in your employees’ behavior like taking prolonged breaks, starting late and leaving early, and so on.

Once you identify the reasons for excessive absenteeism in your company, you can battle this alarming issue by focusing more on employees’ mental health, improving their work/life balance, and offering more flexible schedules to meet their needs.

By taking these specific steps, you may diminish or eliminate the negative effects of excessive absenteeism, making your employees more productive, engaged, and satisfied with their work and keeping your business afloat.

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Productivity

Students: Here’s How to Meet Your Assignment Deadlines

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Hey there, fellow students! Let’s talk about a universal student struggle: meeting assignment deadlines. We get it; life gets crazy, schedules clash, and suddenly, that due date sneaks up on you. But fear not because nailing those deadlines is absolutely doable, and we’re here to guide you through it all!

Picture this: You’re cruising through your academic journey, and each assignment you submit on time is like a gold star of accomplishment. It’s not just about impressing your teachers (though that’s a bonus); it’s about building skills that’ll serve you well beyond the classroom. Now, we know it’s not always smooth sailing – juggling assignments, tests, and a bit of social life can feel like a balancing act. But fear not, because, in this blog post, we’re going to equip you with down-to-earth strategies to master time management, tackle those assignments strategically, and show procrastination who’s boss.

Whether you’re a high school hero or a college conqueror, these tips, including finding the right research paper help, are designed to transform you into a deadline-meeting and research paper-writing machine. So, kick back, relax, and let’s dive into the ultimate guide for students on meeting assignment deadlines without breaking a sweat (well, maybe just a little). Your stress levels are about to take a nosedive, and your assignment game is about to level up!

Time Management Strategies

Alright, let’s dive into the world of time management – your secret weapon for conquering those assignment deadlines. Think of it as your magic wand to transform chaos into order, making sure you have time for both work and play. Here’s the lowdown on some easy-to-follow strategies that’ll make your life a whole lot smoother:

A. Prioritize tasks:

  • 1. Spotlight on what matters: Take a breath and scan through your assignments. Which ones are waving their hands and saying, “Hey, I’m due soon!”? These are your top priorities.
  • 2. Eisenhower Matrix to the rescue: Picture a four-box grid where tasks are divided into “Urgent and Important,” “Important but Not Urgent,” “Urgent but Not Important,” and “Neither Urgent nor Important.” Tackle the urgent and important stuff first – it’s like sorting out the VIPs.

B. Break down assignments:

  • 1. Chop it into bite-sized bits: Imagine trying to eat a gigantic burger in one go – not so easy, right? The same goes for assignments. Slice them into smaller, doable tasks. For instance, the research paper? You’ve got researching, planning, writing, and polishing.
  • 2. Dates with tasks: Attach dates to those smaller tasks. This way, you won’t have to sprint a marathon at the last minute. Each task becomes a mini victory on the road to the big assignment finish line.

C. Create a study schedule:

  • 1. Time slots for everything: You’re like a time ninja now. Allocate blocks of time for classes, assignments, and even a breather. Having a schedule turns chaos into a well-orchestrated symphony.
  • 2. Space for surprises: Life loves throwing surprises – a sudden glitch in your internet, a surprise quiz, you name it. That’s why having buffer time is like having an umbrella in a sudden rainstorm – you’re covered.

Remember, these strategies aren’t about locking yourself in a rigid schedule. They’re your tools to build flexibility and order into your days, so you’re not scrambling to finish assignments at the last second. Embrace the power of time management, and you’ll be dancing through deadlines like a pro!

Effective Planning Techniques

Effective planning is like having a roadmap that leads you directly to your assignment destination. It’s all about using smart tools to navigate the twists and turns of your tasks. Here are some techniques to master the art of planning:

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  1. Digital Calendar or Planner: Imagine a personal assistant who never forgets a date. A digital calendar or planner keeps your assignments and due dates in one accessible place. Set up reminders, color-code tasks, and wave goodbye to “Oops, I forgot!”
  2. To-Do Lists: Classic, yet powerful. Create daily or weekly to-do lists that break down your assignments into individual steps. Checking off each task is like a mini-celebration, motivating you to keep moving forward.
  3. Pomodoro Technique: Let’s play a game with time. Work intensely for a short burst, like 25 minutes, and then reward yourself with a 5-minute break. Repeat this a few times, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish without feeling overwhelmed.

Effective planning techniques aren’t just about being organized – they’re about making your life easier. When you know exactly what you need to do and when the stress of assignments becomes way more manageable. So, whether you’re digitally inclined or love the satisfaction of crossing things off a list, planning techniques are your trusty sidekicks on the journey to assignment success.

Setting Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals is like finding the perfect balance between ambition and practicality. It’s about understanding your limitations while aiming for accomplishments that push you forward. Here’s the scoop on setting goals that work:

Assess Your Abilities: Take stock of your current commitments, workload, and capabilities. As the saying goes, “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” This ensures you’re not setting yourself up for burnout.

Aim for the Stars, but Keep Your Feet on the Ground: Dream big, but remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Set goals that stretch you but are attainable. In the words of Karen Lamb, “A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today.”

Break it Down: Large assignments can be overwhelming. Break them into smaller, manageable tasks. This not only makes the goal seem less daunting but also gives you a sense of progress. As Bill Gates said, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”

Remember, setting realistic goals isn’t about playing it safe; it’s about making strategic choices that set you up for success. By finding that sweet spot between challenge and feasibility, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your assignments while maintaining your sanity.

Seeking Help and Resources

Navigating the journey to meet assignment deadlines doesn’t always mean going it alone – in fact, seeking help and leveraging available resources is a key part of the process. It’s like having a compass to guide you through uncharted waters. Here’s why reaching out for assistance and tapping into available resources, including professional paper writing services, is a strategic approach:

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  • Communication with Instructors: Your teachers are a valuable resource. If an assignment seems unclear or you’re facing hurdles, seeking their guidance can provide much-needed clarity and direction.
  • Utilizing Academic Resources: From libraries brimming with references to writing centers offering expert advice, academic resources enrich your understanding and can elevate your assignments to the next level.
  • Online Research Databases: The digital realm holds a plethora of information, and online research databases offer credible sources that can bolster your work, saving you time and effort.
  • Requesting Extensions: Life’s twists and turns sometimes necessitate extra time. Communicating with your instructors and requesting an extension showcases responsibility and a commitment to delivering quality work.

In the words of Maya Angelou, “You don’t have to do it all by yourself.” Seeking help and tapping into resources isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a strategic move to enhance your learning journey. Remember, everyone benefits from collaboration and learning from others. So, don’t shy away from reaching out when you need it most.

Overcoming Setbacks

In the pursuit of meeting assignment deadlines, setbacks are like detours on a road trip – unexpected and sometimes frustrating, but they don’t have to derail your journey. Overcoming setbacks is a testament to your resilience and adaptability. Here’s a quick guide on how to handle them:

  • Adapt and Adjust: When faced with unexpected challenges, take a step back and reassess your plan. Be flexible in adjusting your timeline and strategies to accommodate the setback.
  • Learn and Improve: Setbacks hold valuable lessons. Reflect on what went wrong and how you can prevent similar issues in the future. It’s all about continuous improvement.
  • Practice Self-Compassion: Remember, setbacks happen to everyone. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Treat yourself with kindness and use setbacks as opportunities for growth.

Setbacks are not roadblocks but rather stepping stones toward success. Each hurdle you overcome hones your problem-solving skills and makes you better equipped to tackle future challenges. Keep moving forward with determination and resilience.

Conclusion

You’ve reached the finish line of our assignment deadline adventure, and we’re cheering you on! Armed with a toolbox of time-taming tricks, realistic goal-setting, and the wisdom to seek help, you’re now a deadline-meeting ninja.

But guess what? These skills are more than classroom magic – they’re life gems. By breaking tasks into bite-sized bits, you’re not just checking boxes; you’re mastering the art of staying organized. And those achievable goals? They’re stepping stones to confidence and success in any journey.

So, next time deadlines sneak up, remember the game plan: plan smart, pace yourself, and call in reinforcements when needed. As you ace assignments, you’re building skills that go way beyond the classroom. This is about you taking the reins, proving that with a pinch of determination and a sprinkle of strategy, you can conquer anything.

Now, go forth and conquer, champion of deadlines! Your academic adventure is just beginning, and you’re armed with the secret sauce to thrive – no matter what the calendar throws your way.

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Productivity

Important Things You Should Know About Confined Spaces Courses

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Confined spaces can be dangerous and require special training for the people who work in or around them. Those who are required to enter confined spaces must understand the risks involved, know how to mitigate those risks, and have an understanding of safety protocols that should be followed while they’re inside.

That’s why it’s important to take a confined space course before entering any type of confined space, such as manholes, sewers, tanks, silos, vessels, or other enclosed areas where hazardous materials may exist. Here are eight important things you should know about taking a Confined Spaces Course – from what is covered in a typical course to how long it takes and more. So let’s get started!

What is Covered in a Typical Course?

Most confined spaces courses cover the basics of working safely in and around enclosed areas. This includes understanding the risks associated with confined space work, knowing how to set up and maintain safety protocols, as well as learning about the latest regulations and guidelines from regulatory bodies like OSHA. Participants will also learn about proper inspection techniques for detecting hazardous materials or gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, along with the necessary precautions for avoiding them.

A confined space competent person who has completed a certified course will be able to recognize hazardous conditions before they become dangerous and know the proper steps to take if an emergency occurs. And while courses will vary depending on their provider, most include topics like confined space entry and rescue procedures, hazard identification and control measures, ventilation techniques, atmospheric testing/monitoring requirements, and more.

How Long Does a Confined Spaces Course Take?

The length of the course will depend on the course provider and the type of certification being offered. Generally speaking, an average confined spaces course can range from 4 to 8 hours in total duration. Some may be shorter or longer depending on the focus of the training and any additional certifications required by regulatory bodies. In some cases, the course may also include “hands-on” activities or simulations to reinforce and evaluate the learner’s understanding of the material.

Who Should Take a Confined Spaces Course?

The answer to this question depends on your industry, as some industries may require their workers to be certified in confined space training as part of their job requirements. Generally speaking, any employee who is required to enter a confined space should have had some form of instruction before entry. This includes industrial plant workers, maintenance personnel, utility workers, firefighters, rescue teams, and more. Those who complete a course will receive certification that can be used for employment purposes or other occupational safety and health requirements.

What are the Benefits of Taking a Confined Spaces Course?

The primary benefit of taking a confined spaces course is that it helps keep workers safe by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to work safely in enclosed areas. It also provides participants with an understanding of how to recognize, prevent, and mitigate hazards associated with confined space work.

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Finally, completing a course can lead to increased confidence when working in or around confined spaces as well as provide employers with a measure of assurance that their employees are properly trained for the job.

What is the Cost of Taking a Confined Spaces Course?

The cost for enrolling in a confined spaces course will vary depending on the provider and type of certification being offered. Generally speaking, you should expect to pay between $100 and $500 for a course. In some cases, the cost may also include additional fees for certifications or materials needed for the course.

The Difference Between Open and Closed Confined Spaces

The main difference between open and closed confined spaces is that an open confined space has natural ventilation, while a closed confined space does not have any natural ventilation.

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Open confined spaces are typically used in industrial industries such as manufacturing plants, while closed confined spaces are usually used in lower-risk areas such as construction sites. It is important to understand the differences so that you can make informed decisions when working in either type of area.

How Do I Find a Reputable Confined Spaces Course Provider?

Before enrolling in a confined spaces course, it is important to do your research and find a reputable provider who can offer the type of certification you need. You should check for reviews online and contact current or past students to get their opinion on the quality of instruction provided by the course provider. Additionally, you should inquire about any certifications offered and ensure that they are recognized by relevant regulatory bodies in your industry. Once you have found a provider you trust, the next step is to enroll in the course.

What Should I Expect During My Confined Spaces Course?

Your experience during your confined spaces course will depend largely on the type of certification being offered and any additional materials required for the class. However, generally speaking, you should expect some form of classroom instruction, group work, individual assessments, and “hands-on” activities or simulations. The course instructor should also provide you with relevant readings and resources so that you can adequately prepare for the class.

At the end of the course, you will typically be given an examination to assess your knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the class. Upon successful completion of the test, you will receive a certificate of completion which can be used for employment purposes or other occupational safety and health requirements.

Taking a confined spaces course can provide workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to work safely in enclosed areas. Not only does it help keep them safe, but it also increases their confidence when working in or around confined spaces. The cost of taking a course will vary depending on the provider and type of certification offered, so be sure to do your research before enrolling.

Furthermore, understanding the difference between open and closed confined spaces is important for making informed decisions when working in either type of area. And make sure you find a reputable course provider who offers certifications recognized by regulatory bodies in your industry – doing so can lead to increased safety and success when working in or around confined spaces.

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Productivity

Will Board Games Be Primarily Online in the Near Future?

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Board games have always been a popular choice of game for families, children, and, in fact, every generation for as long as anyone alive today can remember. For a style of game to survive in popularity, there must be something pretty special about it. This is most likely why online software providers are now looking to get a piece of the action more so than ever before by taking more and more board games into the online gaming sector.

The History of Boards Games

It is believed that Backgammon is the most ancient board game ever played that we know of to date. It originated roughly 5000 years ago in an ancient land called Mesopotamia. In 177 BC, a Babylonian astronomer wrote the rules on a cuneiform tablet for a game called The Royal Game of Ur, which is how we know about it today and is also believed to be around 4600 years old. In more recent years, board games have often been the center of family get-togethers and evenings, with games available for all ages to play.

Most of these are separated into four main categories; games of displacement (e.g., chess), chase games (e.g., Hnefatafl), space games (e.g., Noughts and Crosses), and race games (e.g., Pachisi), with hundreds now available for each category.

Games that Have Gone Online so Far

Many board games have already been successfully converted into online board games, such as the ever-popular Monopoly, and even MMO RPG games, such as Dungeons and Dragons! Other role-playing board games such as Dark Souls, Star Wars: Rebellion, Scythe, and Pandemic are firm favorites within the board game-playing community and will likely be taken online, too, if they have not been already by certain software creators. It would be silly to miss out on something that could very quickly be a massive money maker.

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Some die-hard classic board games that are already widely available online are old-school games, such as Scrabble, Codenames, and Diplomacy. These games have been a huge success since going online and will no doubt spur other game creators to jump on the bandwagon and get their board games into the current era of playing.

The Pros and Cons of Taking Board Games Online

Of course, we need to take a look at the pros and cons of taking these beloved and sometimes historical board games online. Although the future is moving more and more online with each passing year, sometimes it’s best to leave things in their original form or at least transition them so that both can still exist harmoniously alongside each other in the world.

If all board games were to move completely online, a large part of history could be lost and a social past-time erased, which would be sad to see. However, it’s also exciting to see what new features and effects could be added to these fun-time games if and when they do move to a purely online environment.

What the Future Looks Like for Board Games

As time moves forward, more and more games will become available online, as well as in physical board game form, and as long as both manage to co-exist, all types of board game players should be happy. The best of both worlds is always the optimal choice with any change or expansion.

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Parents are always more likely to opt for traditional board games for their children as they have been proven to help with brain development, logic skills, dexterity, and some good, old-fashioned, competitive skills. Plus, minimizing screen time is still a concern for the guardians and parents of the younger generation, as everything seems to be moving online. That being said, though, there is definitely a place for online board games when aimed at a certain type of target market.

Ultimately there will always be a place for physical board games as the connection, fun, and laughter that they create in person between players, friends, and family members just cannot be beaten. Whether or not board games will become primarily online in the near future instead of in physical, traditional form, though, is most certainly something that only time will tell, and the players can choose. For now, you can still choose between playing either online at a growing number of sites or playing the physical versions from the comfort of your own home.

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