Dealing with staff calling in sick or having personal issues can be challenging for any small business. However, it's important to find a balance between supporting your employees and maintaining the productivity and satisfaction of the entire team. Here are some steps you can take to address this situation:

1. Review your company policies: Start by reviewing your existing policies on sick leave, personal time off, and any other relevant policies. Ensure that they are clear, fair, and consistent for all employees. If you don't have such policies in place, consider implementing them to provide clear guidelines for your staff.

2. Communicate expectations: Have a conversation with your staff to communicate your expectations regarding attendance and the impact of their absences on the team. Emphasize the importance of reliability and the need for everyone to work together to maintain customer satisfaction.

3. Encourage open communication: Create an environment where your employees feel comfortable discussing any personal issues or challenges they may be facing. Encourage them to communicate in advance if they anticipate needing time off, so you can plan accordingly. This will help you understand the reasons behind their frequent absences and explore potential solutions together.

4. Consider flexible scheduling: Depending on the nature of your business, you may be able to offer some flexibility in scheduling to accommodate your employees' personal needs. For example, you could allow them to swap shifts or work remotely if possible. This can help reduce the impact of their absences on the rest of the team.

5. Offer support and resources: If your employee is frequently absent due to personal issues, consider offering support or resources to help them manage those challenges. This could include referring them to employee assistance programs, providing flexible work arrangements, or exploring other solutions that can help alleviate their stress.

6. Cross-train your staff: Cross-training your employees can be beneficial in situations where someone needs to call in sick. By having multiple staff members trained in different areas, you can ensure that the workload is still manageable even if one person is absent. Cross-training also provides an opportunity for professional development and growth for your employees.

7. Track and address patterns: Keep a record of employee absences and patterns to identify any recurring issues. If you notice a consistent pattern with one particular employee, it may be necessary to have a more in-depth conversation to understand the underlying reasons and explore potential solutions.

8. Consider hiring part-time or temporary help: While you mentioned that hiring additional staff would result in fewer hours for everyone, it may still be worth considering hiring part-time or temporary help to cover unexpected absences. This can help alleviate the burden on the remaining staff and ensure that customer service is not compromised.

9. Evaluate the workload and staffing needs: Take a step back and evaluate the workload and staffing needs of your business. If the workload is consistently overwhelming for your current staff, it may be time to consider hiring another full-time employee. This can help ensure that everyone gets the hours they need and alleviate the pressure on the rest of the team.

Remember, it's essential to approach this situation with empathy and understanding. While it's frustrating to have frequent absences, it's important to support your employees and find solutions that work for everyone. Open communication, clear expectations, and flexibility can go a long way in managing staff absences while maintaining a positive work environment.