Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

Steve Roussas

Abstract

Health-related absenteeism could significantly affect organizational productivity because of the additional resources needed to compensate for the missing worker's absence. Work productivity is critical for business sustainability as companies continue to create a lean workforce and decrease operating cost. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies that organizational leaders at a university in the southeastern United States used to successfully decrease occurrences of health-related employee absenteeism. The conceptual framework for this study was the theory of planned behavior. A purposive sample of 10 management, 5 faculty, and 5 staff members participated in structured interviews. Secondary data sources included field observations of the university's health and wellness facilities and a review of the university's healthcare plan and wellness program offerings used to reduce absenteeism. Thematic analysis, coding, and member checking led to the identification of 2 major themes. First, a need existed at this university for specific policy and procedures regarding health-related absenteeism. Second, emphasis was needed on the role of workplace health programs in decreasing health related absenteeism. The findings indicated that by integrating supportive management practices, effective absenteeism policies, and health management programs into their organizational culture, leaders at this university could develop specific strategies to decrease health-related absenteeism. Social change implications include changing perceptions of health related absenteeism to help leaders and employees at this and other similar environments become more aware of their current health status, reduce health risks, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and perform better at work.

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