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Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism in the Public Sector Workplace

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Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism in the Public Sector Workplace Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism in the Public Sector Workplace Dr. John G. Turner Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Commons, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by John G. Turner has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Irene Williams, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Jaime Klein, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Cheryl Lentz, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism in the Public Sector Workplace by John G. Turner M.Ed, North Central University, 2015 Ed.S, North Central University, 2013 MA, Liberty University, 2009 MS, Indiana Wesleyan University, 2007 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2020 Abstract When unplanned absences occur, employers incur lost productivity and additional costs. In the United States, missed work because of employee absence costs organizations about $202 billion dollars annually. Grounded in Burn’s transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore effective strategies public works department leaders use to reduce absenteeism in the workplace. The participants included 9 leaders who worked in a chosen department in the local government who successfully reduced absenteeism in the workplace. The data collection process included conducting semistructured interviews and reviewing organizational documents. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis process, and three themes emerged to include collaboration and employee engagement, communication, and organizational culture. A key recommendation is to restructure communications about absenteeism policies while engaging employees in essential aspects of the organization. The implication for positive social change includes the potential to decrease the local government’s related costs from employee absenteeism, thereby increasing resources for supporting social initiatives, individuals, and communities. Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism in the Public Sector Workplace by John G. Turner M.Ed, North Central University, 2015 Ed.S, North Central University, 2013 MA, Liberty University, 2009 MS, Indiana Wesleyan University, 2007 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2020 Dedication I dedicate this doctoral study to my late mother and father, Sarah E. Turner and John Turner, for being my parents and bringing me into this world to do great things. I wish the both of you were here to witness this awesome milestone in my life and see me become the first doctor in the family. I would like to also thank my daughter Tina Brooks ‘Morris and my entire family and close friends for your loving support. Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the strength and guidance to complete this doctoral journey. I would like to give a special acknowledgement to my chair Dr. Irene Williams for your undivided attention, advice, encouragement, expertise, guidance, and overall patience, which were invaluable throughout this doctoral process. I would like also to thank my committee members Dr. Jaime Klein and Dr. Cheryl Lentz for their awesome support and feedback. I was very blessed and lucky to have such a talented and wonderful committee. I would also like to thank Dr. Julia East for helping me through some difficult times during my doctoral journey. I would also like to thank Dr. Freda Turner for believing in me and treating me like an adopted son. Finally, I would like to thank Mr. John Laird and all of the participants for their time and responsiveness during the data collection process and my colleagues and friends for their support. Table of Contents Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................1 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................2 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................2 Research Question .........................................................................................................4 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................4 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................5 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................6 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................9 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 6 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 7 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 7 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................8 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ................................................9 Absenteeism in the Workplace ............................................................................. 10 Absenteeism Versus Presenteeism ........................................................................ 12 Effects of Absenteeism on Productivity and Performance ................................... 12 Causes of Absenteeism and Contributing Factors ................................................ 14 Organizational Impacts on Absenteeism .............................................................. 20 Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism ........................................................................ 23 i Transformative Leadership as a Potential Solution to Absenteeism .................... 30 Rival Leadership Theory (Transactional) and Absenteeism ................................. 36 Transition .....................................................................................................................42 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................43 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................44 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................44 Participants ...................................................................................................................46 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................48 Research Method .................................................................................................. 48 Research Design.................................................................................................... 50 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................52 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................54 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................56 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................58 Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................61 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................62 Reliability and Validity ................................................................................................65 Reliability .............................................................................................................. 65 Validity ................................................................................................................. 66 Transition and Summary ..............................................................................................67 Section
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