The True Cost of Absenteeism in the Workplace and How to Manage It

Since elementary school, we’re familiar with the concept of taking attendance. In class, absences mean falling behind in class. However, in the corporate world, it’s the businesses that pay the price when their employees don’t show up. 

Absenteeism disrupts workflows, hurts productivity, and impacts the team’s morale as they’re left picking up the slack for their absent colleagues.  

But there’s more to absenteeism than just inconvenience—it’s a costly issue that many businesses struggle to manage effectively. 

In this article, we’ll explore what absenteeism truly means, the various types that impact workplaces, and why it’s essential to address this hidden expense. You’ll also discover practical strategies to minimize absenteeism and learn how tools like leave management systems can help you manage attendance with greater ease and precision. 

What is Absenteeism?

Absenteeism occurs when an employee fails to be at work when expected, particularly without prior notice or justification. Unlike a planned absence, these unexpected or unjustified absences catch businesses off guard. 

Not only does absenteeism result in lost productivity, but it also impacts a company’s ability to serve customers effectively. Businesses may find themselves needing to hire extra staff or rearrange workloads among team members to cover these gaps, which can be costly and disruptive. 

The impact of absenteeism is especially pronounced in customer-facing roles, where just one absence can negatively affect the customer experience. In critical sectors like healthcare and education, where maintaining staff ratios is essential, these unplanned absences can stretch resources thin and compromise service quality. 

Common Types of Absences at Work

Planned vs Unplanned 

A planned absence is time off that has been previously approved by a manager, like vacation, time off for a doctor’s appointment, or even maternity leave. Since they are organized in advance, the company has the time to prepare by either redistributing the employee’s workload for that period or hiring a replacement.  

Unplanned absences on the other hand are much more of a surprise and tend to be much less fun. Unplanned absences are often related to emergencies, illness, or accidents. They are unpredictable and tend to disrupt a company’s workflow and productivity, as teams cannot prepare in advance. Unplanned absences are a major problem in the US, costing employers over $2,500 per salaried employee annually (Circadian). 

Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic Absenteeism is when an employee is constantly taking days off work. This often prohibits them from completing their duties, placing a strain on the rest of the team. Employers may need to take disciplinary action if an employee’s absences are excessive, which can even lead to termination. Chronic absenteeism can sometimes be an indicator of deeper issues, such as burnout, ongoing health concerns, or dissatisfaction with the job. It may be worthwhile for HR to explore the reasons behind frequent absenteeism to provide support and potentially prevent further occurrences. 

Intermittent Absences

Intermittent absences occur when an employee takes sporadic leave from work, often due to flare up of a chronic condition or treatment of a medical issue. Employees may be covered for this type of leave under the FMLA, but sometimes employees in smaller companies are not permitted to take this kind of leave. Intermittent absences require careful management to ensure both employee well-being and business continuity. 

Employers should consider offering reasonable accommodation, such as modified work schedules or remote work options, where possible to support employees facing these situations. 

Unauthorized Absences

Unauthorized absences occur when an employee makes changes to their schedule without receiving permission or providing notice. Some examples include not showing up for work or altering their working hours.  

These types of absences are particularly disruptive, as they leave employers without time to arrange alternative coverage. Repeated unauthorized absences may signal a lack of engagement or accountability and can lead to disciplinary action, including possible termination. Unauthorized absences may also affect team trust and cohesion, as they often require colleagues to cover shifts unexpectedly, increasing stress and workload for the rest of the team. 

Partial Absences

Partial absences refer to employees who arrive late, leave early, or take the liberty of enjoying extra-long breaks. This behavior can impact productivity and team morale, especially if it becomes a recurring issue. Partial absences may not always be documented as official absences, but they do contribute to the overall cost of absenteeism in the workplace. Partial absences can disrupt daily operations, impact productivity, and signal issues with time management or disengagement. 

Strategies to Minimize Absenteeism in the Workplace

Encourage a healthy work environment: If you’re noticing abnormally large numbers of absences, it’s important to ask yourself why. Is your workplace a positive environment that employees enjoy and look forward to coming to, or are there some toxic tendencies to address?  

For example, Canadian companies lose a shocking $16.6 billion per year because of mental health-related absences (mercer). Consider assessing the state of your workplace and prioritize employee health with wellness initiatives, encouraging healthy habits and promoting overall well-being. 

Initiatives like mental health days, access to counseling services, and on-site fitness programs can create a supportive culture and demonstrate the company’s commitment to employee well-being.

Flexible work arrangements: Life is busy and it’s not always easy to time everything to perfection. Your employees have other commitments outside of work and they might not want to, but sometimes they need time off for simple things like the dentist or their child’s graduation. Offering flexible work arrangements can help to maintain productivity while allowing your team the time to handle other commitments. Employees can start or finish work an hour or two later to make space for those life events, rather than take the whole day off.  

By providing options such as remote work, compressed workweeks, or flextime, employers can create a more adaptable work environment that supports both business and employee needs. Flexible work arrangements can be especially beneficial in retaining talent, as they give employees greater control over their schedules. 

Employee engagement: Engaged employees are more likely to feel a sense of pride and ownership in their company, encouraging high attendance rates. Simple ways to increase their commitment is to keep them informed through honest and transparent company updates, allowing them the opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions to make the workplace. Invest in your team by providing professional development and help them grow in their roles, while developing a sense of loyalty for the organization. 

When employees feel valued and involved, they are more likely to remain committed and show up consistently. Regular check-ins and recognition programs can also enhance engagement, as they help employees feel appreciated and connected to their organization. Additionally, building a culture of inclusivity, where diverse voices are heard and respected, can deepen employee engagement and reduce absenteeism. 

Attendance policies: To reduce absences, employees need to be clear about what is expected of them. By developing a clear attendance policy, HRs can outline procedures for requesting time off. For example, employees should know how much in advance they need to inform management about their time off. Employees also need to understand the consequences related to excessive absences or no-shows. By having these guidelines in writing, HR can provide structure, which not only helps in limiting absences but also makes it easier to enforce policies fairly.

How a Leave Management Tool Can Reduce Absences from Work

A leave management solution can be an invaluable resource for tracking attendance and managing absences efficiently. With a well-defined policy and the right management system, businesses can minimize the impact of absenteeism and ensure a smoother workflow.  

Vacation Tracker offers data-driven insights that help identify patterns in absenteeism, allowing businesses to address potential issues proactively. Our system also simplifies the process of requesting time off, streamlines communication, and ensures accurate record-keeping, ultimately contributing to a more transparent and organized approach to managing absences.

Ready to take control of attendance? Explore Vacation Tracker today to see how our solution can help you reduce absenteeism, improve team morale, and boost overall efficiency. 

Easy PTO tracking, right at your fingertips.

Automate leave policies, improve visibility and plan better

Start your free trial

No credit card required. Instant set-up.