What is Absenteeism?
Absenteeism refers to an employee’s frequent planned or unplanned absence from work. Planned absenteeism includes leaves such as annual, parental, or medical leave, while unplanned absenteeism arises from emergencies like personal or family issues. It can also mean unauthorized absences where employees fail to report for work without prior approval.
In India, absenteeism is a significant workplace challenge, more prevalent than in many other countries. It impacts both employers and employees, leading to reduced job satisfaction and a sense of job insecurity among employees.
According to the Indian Factories Act, 1948, absenteeism occurs when an employee fails to report to work despite being scheduled and aware of their duties.
Effects of Absenteeism
- Decrease in overall productivity.
- Higher labor costs.
- Negative impact on customer service.
- Lower morale among team members.
- In cases of repeated absenteeism, it may lead to termination.
Common Causes of Absenteeism in India
- Workplace harassment.
- Childcare or eldercare responsibilities.
- Mental health challenges.
- Physical illness or injuries.
- Overwhelming workload.
How HR teams use this term
HR teams usually use Absenteeism when they write policies, explain employee communication, review payroll or leave records, or keep employee data clean in an HRMS.