Absences

Absences refer to the absence of employees from the workplace that goes beyond the usual vacation and leisure time and is attributable to illness, injury, maternity or parental leave, accident, or other health-related or personal reasons. Absences can be either short-term (e.g., one or two days) or long-term (several weeks or months). They can have significant effects on a company's productivity, efficiency, and operating costs, especially when key employees are absent or important projects or deadlines are affected. Monitoring and managing absences is therefore of great importance for companies in order to identify possible causes, take preventive measures, promote employees' ability to work and well-being, and minimize the negative effects of absences. This can include the introduction of health promotion programs, flexible work models, stress management measures, improved working conditions, and a supportive work environment.

• Badura, B., Ducki, A., Meyer, M., Baumgardt, J. & Schröder, H. (2023). Fehlzeiten-Report 2023: Zeitenwende gesund und nachhaltig gestalten. Springer.