ABSENTEEISM

• Absenteeism is any failure to report for work as scheduled or to stay at work when
scheduled.

• Absenteeism is the absence of employee from the work without prior notice.

There are two different types of absenteeism

o Involuntary
o Voluntary

Involuntary Absenteeism is when absences are unavoidable and understandable

 Illness
 Death in the family
 Other family related or personal reasons
 Car troubles

Voluntary Absenteeism is when absences are avoidable

 Not showing up to work for no good reason

 Showing up late to work for no good reason
 Any failure to report for work as scheduled or to stay at work when scheduled, for
no good reason

Examples:

 Missing work without warning in advance to go to a football game

 Calling in “sick” because you are sick of your job
 Making up excuses for consistently being late to work

Approaches to Control Absenteeism

 Disciplinary Approach: Employees get oral and written warnings, suspensions, and
even up to dismissal for absenteeism violations

 Positive reinforcement: Employees receive rewards for good attendance. The

opportunity to change working conditions

 Combination Approach: Employees are rewarded for positive behavior and are
punished for bad behavior

 “No fault” policy: Employees must manage their own attendance unless they abuse that
freedom. Once abused, then disciplinary action may be taken. Employers don’t judge
whether the absences were excused or unexcused.

 Paid-time-off (PTO) programs: Employees can use vacation, holiday, and sick leave,
which is accrued in an account, at their discretion. Once an employee runs out of PTO
then they are not paid for any additional days off.