E&M in action
The importance of healthy employees
Aircraft do not take to the skies without our people. Healthy, fit employees are incredibly important for KLM’s operations to run smoothly. This cannot be achieved unless they feel good – mentally and physically – and are in a position to get the best out of themselves, both at work and at home.
High absenteeism At KLM, we have identified five must win battles needed to enhance operations. Each and every KLM employee is needed to win these battles. Unfortunately, not everyone can participate fully. We see this, for instance, in our absenteeism rate of 7.9%, which is high compared to other Dutch companies (5.3% – and specifically the transport sector 6.3%). There are several underlying causes, not all of which can be influenced. However, some can and we intend to focus on them. Everyone can contribute to this in their own way. Increasing sustainable employability Several initiatives have been launched in recent years to reduce absenteeism and increase the sustainable employability of the workforce. This was also shared during the E&M Infosessions.
Preventively, there are numerous offers in the field of health and vitality to benefit your level of fitness. To support sustainable recovery, concerted efforts are made by employees, managers, reintegration officers and company doctors directed at returning to work. All in all, these steps have unfortunately not yet resulted in a structural increase in sustainable employability KLM-wide. This is because absenteeism also involves other factors. We therefore assessed what would be needed to devise a more effective approach. Focusing on doing the right things – from prevention to sustainable recovery – in cooperation with all the departments and parties involved, remains important in this respect. More attention for employees and a new process In the period ahead, more attention will be paid to absenteeism and employability. A number of changes will be implemented, facilitating a faster, better response in relation to the possible causes, consequences and solutions. For example, in the operational divisions in particular, we are looking at ways to support managers in the absenteeism process and we will be switching to a new, digital way to report sick, KLM-wide. More information about this will follow soon. Joint responsibility Absenteeism is not just about being sick; it can also be a manifestation of something going wrong in the organisation or at home. Things could certainly be improved within our organisation, and more attention should be paid to employees and making sure they are offered the right kind of care at the right time. If an employee is unable to work for a while, there are several ways to solve the possible problems at play. It is important for employees to indicate what their needs are and where possible problems lie. It’s also necessary to listen closely so that suitable solutions can be found together. Ultimately, prevention is always better than cure, not only for your health but also to ensure that you have a sustainable career.