What should a supervisor do about employee attendance issues?

Addressing employee attendance issues directly with the employee is crucial for several reasons. First, open communication fosters a trustworthy environment where employees feel supported and understood. By discussing attendance issues directly with the employee, the supervisor can clarify the importance of attendance, align on expectations, and identify any underlying problems that may be contributing to the attendance issues.

Reviewing attendance policies during this discussion not only reinforces company standards but also ensures that the employee understands the consequences of their attendance behavior. This proactive approach helps in preventing future misunderstandings and can lead to improved attendance. Moreover, it demonstrates the supervisor's investment in the employee’s success and their role in the team.

The other approaches, such as ignoring the issue until the employee raises it, discussing it only with other supervisors, or transferring the employee to another department, do not effectively address the underlying problem and may lead to further complications in team dynamics and employee morale.