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Employees taking more sick days - and it's getting worse

Recent data shows an increase in the average sick leave days to 13.8 per employee per year.

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Traditionally, absence has been viewed solely as sick leave, but now it manifests in many ways. Absenteeism can take forms such as presenteeism, high rates of employee turnover, and extended periods of unpaid leave.

A growing number of organisations, from 36% in 2019 to 55% in 2023, believe that employee absence is underreported. This trend has been accompanied by a 2.6-day increase in the average number of absence days lost per employee per year since 2019.

Employee absenteeism continues to be a costly challenge for organisations. Survey data indicates that the average direct cost of absence per employee has increased from $3,395 to $4,025. Furthermore, 80% of companies surveyed attribute the rise in absences to COVID-related restrictions.

More than half a million Australians sustain a work-related injury or illness each year at an estimated cost of $61.8 billion, according to Safe Work Australia. With the added consideration of depression, presenteeism, and other factors contributing to absence, these costs could rise by a further $6.3 billion.

Managing absenteeism presents challenges for managers, particularly during periods like the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is compounded by Australia's unprecedented labour shortages, escalating wages, shifting work practices, and increased workplace compliance.

The financial impact on Australian businesses is significant, prompting employers to adopt a more holistic approach, considering employees' wellbeing beyond physical presence or absence at work.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN ABSENCE AND WELLBEING PROGRAMS

Research indicates that employers often face low employee uptake despite offering various wellbeing services, with only around 20% participating. This phenomenon, termed "worried well" by Dane Carroll, reflects the tendency for individuals who are generally well but concerned about potential health issues to engage more in wellbeing programs than those who may have more significant needs. 

Concerns about privacy and perceptions of chronic health conditions influence employees' engagement in such programs. To address this, employers must consider wellbeing as a holistic element accessible to employees.

ANALYSE ABSENCE DATA FOR EFFECTIVE WELLBEING INTERVENTIONS

Understanding the factors driving absence in a business is crucial. Employers should analyse workforce demographics, considering aspects such as age distribution. For instance, the needs of a 25-year-old employee will differ significantly from those of a 55-year-old. However, age alone does not determine retirement plans, as many employees continue working beyond the traditional retirement age.

A deep dive into data, including sick leave and turnover, can provide insights into absence patterns. Identifying trends and patterns helps determine if poor wellbeing is rooted in cultural issues or other factors such as ageing-related shift patterns. For instance, high rates of single-day absences in an aging workforce may indicate the need for time off for recovery, enabling employees to return and continue working for the rest of the week.

Tailoring wellbeing solutions to address specific needs can increase employee engagement and enable employers to monitor the effectiveness of their interventions. Wellbeing initiatives have evolved beyond traditional offerings like massages and physiotherapy, encompassing workforce planning and flexible shift patterns to reduce absenteeism.

MANAGING EMPLOYEE LEAVE THROUGH OPEN DIALOGUE

Dealing with excessive employee leave can be challenging for employers. Beyond tracking absenteeism, it's crucial to understand the underlying reasons for absences. Is it because of a medical condition or injury? Or the need to care for a family member? Is it the lack of flexible working hours? Engaging in conversations with employees before the situation escalates into long-term absence is essential.

Implementing return-to-work interviews is a beneficial practice for several reasons. They can be informal conversations facilitating a smooth transition for employees returning to their roles, demonstrating the employer's care and concern for its workforce, and reducing the likelihood of recurring absences. 

Additionally, flexible working hours and remote work options can enhance employee wellbeing, increase organisational loyalty, and mitigate absenteeism. Offering flexible schedules that accommodate individual preferences and circumstances can serve as a measure to improve overall employee satisfaction and productivity.

The employment relations landscape has recently seen reforms to leave entitlements, including the introduction of paid family and domestic violence leave. This paid leave entitlement, akin to annual or paid sick and carer's leave, is now part of the National Employment Standards (NES). Traditionally, employees used paid entitlements and unpaid leave to address such events.

OVER TO YOU

Managing leave and absence is crucial for fostering a healthy and productive work environment. It allows organisations to optimise workforce planning, reduce associated costs, and ensure the wellbeing of their employees. By analysing absence data, employers can gain insights into the underlying factors driving absenteeism and implement targeted interventions. Open dialogue with employees, flexible working arrangements, and a holistic approach to employee wellbeing can significantly reduce absenteeism and enhance workplace productivity.

 

 

 

 

Catherine Ngo
27 March 2024
mybusiness.com.au

Careers

Want to join our team? Various opportunities and positions become available from time to time. Currently we have the following positions available:

Accountant

Key Responsibilities will Include:

  • Preparation of Financial Statements and Tax Returns for Individuals, Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and SMSFs.
  • Preparation of BAS/IAS.
  • Preparation of Budgets & Cashflows.
  • Liaise with clients.
  • Communicate with the ATO and other regulatory bodies.

You’ll Need:

  • Tertiary Qualification (Majoring in Accounting).
  • Ideally a minimum of 2 years industry experience.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to plan and coordinate workload.
  • Experience working with a range of software programs.

Bookkeeper

Key Responsibilities will include:

  • Preparations of BAS/IAS.
  • Bank Reconciliations for our small business clients.
  • Liaising with the ATO and other regulatory bodies.
  • Payroll processing.
  • Providing support to clients.
  • Assisting accountants where necessary.

You’ll Need:

  • Demonstrated experience in a similar role, or previous experience working as a bookkeeper for a business.
  • Experience working with software programs including Xero, MYOB, Reckon and QuickBooks is highly desired.
  • High standard of written and verbal communication skills.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.

Graduate/Trainee Accountant

Key Responsibilities will include:

  • Preparation of Financial Statements and Tax Returns for Individuals, Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and SMSFs.
  • Preparation of BAS/IAS.
  • Liaise with clients.
  • Communicate with the ATO and other regulatory bodies.

You’ll Need:

  • Recently finished or currently studying towards your degree.
  • Motivation to undertake further study.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Eagerness to learn and high work ethic.

We offer full time, part time and casual employment options. All applications are treated with strict confidentiality.

If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please email resume cover letter to accountant@mckinnonandco.com.au

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Philippa Whitting

Director

Education: Bachelor of Commerce, JCU

Qualifications: CPA, CTA, JP

Philippa commenced work at McKinnon & Co in 1982. In her spare time she enjoys looking after her beef cattle enterprise, equestrian activities, and spending time with family.

Stephen Klaproth

Senior Accountant

Education: Bachelor of Commerce – Major Accounting & Finance, USQ.

Qualifications: CA

Stephen works in our business services areas as well as assisting with Audits. On the weekend he enjoys the Tablelands outdoor lifestyle.

Chloe Bidner

Senior Accountant

Education: Bachelor of Business – Major Accounting, JCU.

Qualifications: CPA, Xero Advisor Certified.

Chloe works part time at McKinnon & Co predominantly in Business Services. When she is not at McKinnons, she works in her family business – FNQ Honey & Bees

Margaret Blakey

Senior Accountant

Education: Diploma of Financial Planning (Financial Services)

Qualifications: JP

Margaret commenced accounting in 1990, and has experience in the accounting, finance, banking and financial services sectors. In her spare time, she competes in dance sport ballroom dancing, as well as spending time with her family.

Leanne Johnston

Accountant. Manager of BAS, Payroll & Bookkeeping Department.

Education: Bachelor of Business – Major Accounting, USQ.

Qualifications: Xero Advisor Certified. Diploma In Accounting.

Leanne has recently completed her accounting degree and is looking to expand her knowledge with further study. In her spare time, she enjoys horse riding and planning travel adventures.

Valerie Orreal

Manager of SMSF Department.

Education: Bachelor of Science, JCU

Qualifications: Diploma of Family History

Valerie looks after all aspects of SMSFs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, camping and beach trips.

Alison Richardson

Client Service Assistant

Alison started at McKinnon’s back in 1981 and is our longest serving employee, providing integral support to the office and our clients. She loves spending time with her family and spoiling her grandchildren.

Rebecca Setford

Receptionist

Bec helps manage the day-to-day operations of our front office. She enjoys working hard and learning new skills. Outside of work she is a keen gym enthusiast.

Georgia Barbagallo

Receptionist

Our newest team member Georgia is enjoying learning the running of our front office. She is also studying Education and enjoys spending time with her adorable sausage dogs.

Accounting, Tax & Compliance

The right advice can make a significant difference to the bottom line of your business. Our team can take the complexity out of tax.

We can help with compliance work for:

  • Individuals.
  • Sole Traders
  • Partnerships.
  • Companies.
  • Trusts.
  • Self-Managed Super Funds.
  • Clubs & associations.
Contact Us

Business Advisory

We take the time to understand the current situation and future direction of each client. Our experienced staff will develop a range of services tailored to suit your needs.

We can provide advice and support on a range of areas such as:

  • Business structuring.
  • Tax consequences and obligations.
  • Business Recovery & turnaround.
  • Succession Planning.
  • Capital Gains.
  • Business Valuations
Contact Us

Self-Managed Superannuation Funds

We provide a comprehensive service, assisting in all aspects of your fund’s administration including all the paperwork, reporting and support in complying with super and tax laws.

We’ll support you in the administration of your fund by:

  • Processing investment paperwork throughout the year.
  • Consulting with share registries.
  • Corresponding with the ATO.
  • Processing paperwork and calculations in relation to the commencement and maintenance of pensions.
  • Preparing trustees’ minutes.
  • Preparing year-end financial statements.
  • Preparing and lodging the fund’s annual income tax and regulatory return.
  • Preparing and lodging the TBAR reports as required.
  • Preparing the fund minutes
  • Organising annual actuarial certificate and other documents as required.
  • Organising the annual independent audit.
Contact Us

Audit & Assurance

We provide high quality auditing services to help ensure that our clients meet regulatory and business requirements.

We are committed to providing independent, comprehensive, effective and efficient auditing. They have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you with all your financial reporting and accounting issues.

We provide auditing services for the following areas:

  • Clubs & Associations
  • Trust Audits including Real Estate & Solicitors.
  • Special Purpose Audits and Reviews.
  • Financial Statement Audits.
Contact Us

BAS, Payroll & Bookkeeping

We provide a range of options to meet your individual bookkeeping needs and ensure you are complying with all your reporting requirements. We work with a range of software’s and are happy to assist with whichever program you feel most comfortable with. Services we provide include:

  • Payroll Processing and support.
  • Superannuation processing – ensuring all staff super guarantee obligations met on time.
  • Preparation and lodgement of Monthly & Quarterly Business Activity Statements.
  • Bank Reconciliations and transaction coding.
  • Inputting of business records.
  • Assisting with software used to maintain records.
  • Set up of relevant Tax Registrations.
Contact Us

Business Start Up Assistance

We can take the stress out of starting a new business, providing a personalised start up tax service suited to your venture. We can assist with:

  • Advice on Business Structure.
  • Applying for ABN, TFN.
  • Set up of Tax registrations including GST, PAYG Withholding and FTC.
  • Set up of WorkCover and Super clearing house.
  • Taking care of company set up requirements.
  • Advice on ongoing obligations.
Contact Us

Tax Diary

General Calculators

 

Accounting Videos

Tax Deductions by Job

Secure File Transfer

Secure File Transfer is a facility that allows the safe and secure exchange of confidential files or documents between you and us.

Email is very convenient in our business world, there is no doubting that. However email messages and attachments can be intercepted by third parties, putting your privacy and identity at risk if used to send confidential files or documents. Secure File Transfer eliminates this risk.

Login to Secure File Transfer, or contact us if you require a username and password.

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General Disclaimer

The material on this website has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained on the website is General Advice and does not take into account any person’s individual investment objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider whether it is appropriate to your particular circumstances, alternatively seek professional advice.

Privacy Policy

McKinnon & Co is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including correspondence, by telephone and facsimile, by email, via our website www.mckinnonandco.com.au, from your website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources, from cookies and from third parties. We don't guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our clients and marketing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.

When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

McKinnon & Co will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at:

admin@mckinnonandco.com.au

07 4091 1244