Absenteeism
Habitual or frequent absence of an employee from work without a valid reason.
Definition
Absenteeism refers to a pattern of frequent or habitual unplanned absence from work by an employee, excluding approved leave. It is measured using metrics such as the Bradford Factor, which calculates absence scores based on the frequency as well as duration of absences. High absenteeism has significant costs for organizations in terms of lost productivity, temporary cover, and management time. Root causes can include health issues, disengagement, poor management, or workplace conflict.
Example
“The logistics company used the Bradford Factor to identify that one team had an absenteeism rate three times the company average, triggering a wellbeing assessment and management coaching program for the department.”
Usage Examples
- 1
“The team applied absenteeism best practices to improve their employee relations outcomes significantly.”
- 2
“Understanding absenteeism is essential for anyone building a career in HR & People.”
When & How to Use
Use 'Absenteeism' when working in Employee Relations contexts where absenteeism refers to a pattern of frequent or habitual unplanned absence from work by an employee, excluding approved leave.
- ▸Applying absenteeism principles during a employee relations project or initiative
- ▸Explaining absenteeism to a junior team member or stakeholder unfamiliar with HR & People
- ▸Evaluating options or proposals using absenteeism as a decision-making criterion
Etymology & Origin
The term 'Absenteeism' derives from professional usage and entered HR & People professional usage as the field formalised in the 20th century.
History & Evolution
The concept of absenteeism has evolved alongside HR & People. Early practitioners relied on informal methods; structured approaches emerged with the professionalisation of employee relations in the mid-20th century. Today, absenteeism is a standard part of HR & People practice globally.
Synonyms
- truancy
- unplanned absence
- unauthorized absence
- chronic absenteeism
Antonyms / Opposites
- attendance
- presenteeism