Absenteeism refers to a specific behavior exhibited by employees in relation to their absence from work. Unlike absences due to medical reasons (such as illness or maternity leave) or contractual entitlements (such as vacation), absenteeism is driven by motivational factors. This type of absence is a voluntary decision made by the employee to be absent from work. Such absences are typically not caused by illness or legal leave but are often a result of disengagement, low motivation, or dissatisfaction with the workplace.
The issue of absenteeism, along with general absenteeism trends, holds significant weight in corporate practice. Absenteeism leads to substantial personnel costs, including the need for overtime, reduced productivity, coordination challenges, hiring temporary staff, or even the use of external labor leasing. These financial impacts can be considerable, affecting the organization’s overall performance and efficiency.
However, absenteeism should also be viewed as a symptom of deeper organizational issues, particularly in the realm of employee management. High rates of absenteeism often point to poor leadership or a lack of employee engagement, indicating that workers may feel undervalued, unmotivated, or dissatisfied with their work environment. Addressing absenteeism requires not only tracking and managing attendance but also investigating underlying issues such as employee morale, management practices, and workplace culture.
By identifying and addressing the root causes of absenteeism, organizations can create a healthier work environment, improve employee engagement, and ultimately reduce absenteeism rates, leading to better overall performance.
Source:
Lexicon of Personalmanagment
