Absence Definition

An absence occurs when an employee does not attend work when attendance is required or expected.

Absence Extended Definition
Absences happen when employees take time off from work, generally using time that was unplanned and not approved ahead of time. An absence can be the result of illness, injury, family issues, or other reasons, such as a lack of engagement with the job.

Absences make up a business’s absenteeism rate, which shows you the ratio of absences to workdays during a set period.

Absence may also refer to a leave of absence. Unlike absenteeism, a leave of absence is when a worker takes an extended period of paid or unpaid time away from work after getting employer approval.

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Last Updated By

Rachel Blakely-Gray | Feb 14, 2023