Letter from Butch Presentee and how to engage employees

Here’s a letter from one of our Usual Suspects, Butch Presentee. As you might remember, the Usual Suspects of poor attendance (see the animation here) are that 20% of the workforce responsible for 80% of absence problems. Butch’s main issue is presenteeism and dis-engagement. Here’s how he has been doing recently:

Howdy friends!

I’ve been working hard at the Wild Bill’s Saloon recently. Not that I wouldn’t normally, I always work hard, although I don’t get much thanks for it. But now in the summer it’s busier than ever and I’m putting in all hours. I haven’t taken a day off this year – I even came in when I was feeling pretty rough with a cold last winter! – and it eats at me that my colleague Annie Excuses keeps taking time off for this and that. There’s always some problem and of course I have to pick up the pieces – and extra work – when she’s away.

Enough of that, though. I was going to talk about the here and now. At least at the moment Annie is at work although sometimes I think it’s easier when she isn’t because then at least I can do things my way. I don’t know what they would do here without me. The summer rush has been keeping us so busy. So many people are on summer holidays and feeling riotous and jubilant. Except for me, of course. I don’t get any time off, I just have to stay in the dark Saloon polishing the brass when the sun shines outside and everyone else is enjoying the weather.

It’s pretty hard to find motivation to give 100% to my job when I get so little recognition. And when you add the hot weather to that, it’s just impossible to get much done. No one could work very hard under these circumstances, there is just no way you could stay productive in the hot weather. In my opinion, my boss can’t really complain because he couldn’t get a more reliable employee, at least I’m always there unlike some.

Hope you guys enjoy summer, just think of me when you’re out there having fun – I’ll be working as usual.

Yours etc,

Butch Presentee

Sounds familiar? If you struggle with a disengaged team of Butch Presentees, you might be interested in reading more about what motivates employees. We’ve also listed some tips for improving productivity no matter what the weather.