20-member task force recommends ways to curb city employee absenteeism

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The City of Chicago Absenteeism Task Force on Friday released its recommendations to address and reduce absenteeism across city operations.

The task force also made public an online database that contains city employee absentee information for aldermen and the public to see.

The review showed that Chicago experiences almost $10 million per year in lost time due to "overt absenteeism."

The 20-member task force includes aldermen, labor representatives and leaders from multiple city departments.

The task force concluded the city needs to improve its workplace recordkeeping, policies and procedures, and training and culture.

"Absenteeism effects every City department and every City service from garbage collection to the emergency call center," said Alderman Michele Smith.