Absenteeism is commonly defined as the failure of workers to report on the job when they are scheduled to work.

1.

Excused Absence Absences considered excused if the employee is: a) on an approved vacation leave of absence; b) on a pre-arranged leave of absence, authorized by management or granted by the CBA or by law; c) on disciplinary penalty such as suspension; d) on military duty e) on job rotation, layoff, legal strike, or lockout. Unexcused Absence a) the absence has not been previously arranged or is without permission; or b) the absence is in disregard of the company policy on absenteeism; or c) a worker does not notify his supervisor or the human resource department on the first day of his absence by telephone or other means.

2.

Causes of Absenteeism
a) illness, either job connected or not; b) Personal reasons such as social or business, death of a relative or a friend, school work, transfer of residence; c) Lack of interest in the job; d) Family problems like illness or death of a family member, birth in the family; e) Bad weather: such as typhoon, flood, heavy rains, etc.; f) Lack of transportation; g) Low morale or discontentment; h) Malingering; i) Vehicular traffic

Several approaches in dealing with the problems of absenteeism and tardiness. 1. The negative or disciplinary approach 2. The positive or constructive approach 3. The motivational approach; 4. Accumulation of unused sick leaves and/or conversion thereof into their equivalent in cash.