Liberty Mutual has released a new report highlighting 10 best practices for reducing employee absences, based on findings from the 2008 Leadership Series -- Absence Management. The symposium, co-sponsored by the Disability Management Employer Coalition, gathered over 80 human resource professionals to discuss how to manage employee absences.

"When an employee is out, the employer's bottom line is hit twice," says Greg VanDam, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Claims and Technology at Liberty Mutual Group Benefits. "First, are the costs directly connected to the absence, such as any salary or benefits paid to the absent worker. Second, are the indirect costs, such as overtime or temporary workers."

Some of the most successful practices identified at the symposium include a central date system incorporating all offices that records all absences, including everything from sick days and vacation, to jury duty. The report can be found at www.libertymutualgroup.com/leadershipseries, along with a Webcast and podcast.