On the Extent and Reduction of Avoidable Absenteeism
Abstract
This field study of employees ( = 1,292) of a public utility company had several objectives: (a) to identify that portion of employee absenteeism that is avoidable; (b) to compare this measure of avoidable absenteeism with more traditional measures, and (c) to examine the relationship of the measure of avoidable absenteeism with a selected absence policy—a waiting-time provision whereby employees were compensated differently for absenteeism. The avoidable absenteeism measure was more robustly related to predictor variables than were more traditional absence measurements. The results indicate that absenteeism policy is a far better predictor of avoidable absenteeism than any individual or attitudinal factor singly in or combination. Also, a relatively small percentage of employees were responsible for the vast majority of avoidable absenteeism.