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Renegotiating absence levels
Author(s) -
ChadwickJones J. K.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of organizational behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.938
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1099-1379
pISSN - 0894-3796
DOI - 10.1002/job.4030020403
Subject(s) - casual , negotiation , absenteeism , overtime , context (archaeology) , argument (complex analysis) , variety (cybernetics) , social psychology , psychology , job insecurity , demographic economics , economics , sociology , political science , labour economics , work (physics) , computer science , geography , medicine , engineering , social science , mechanical engineering , archaeology , artificial intelligence , law
Absence figures show similar rising trends in a number of national surveys. Most of the figures utilize the Time Lost measure which is heavily weighted by sickness leaves. In general, the national computations of ‘absenteeism’ are inadequate for a variety of reasons, which are discussed. Previous attempts are summarized to relate absence rates to such factors as overtime, strikes, sex roles and an array of correlates. Techniques, managerial and psychological, for controlling absence levels are discussed and cost analysis of absence is also covered. The notion of an acceptable level in both cost and disciplinary terms is suggested and a negotiating approach to bringing absences to this level is proposed and developed subsequently. Thus, consideration of absence data within the North American context, leads to the argument that rates of casual absences might be changed by employer‐employee negotiation of agreed levels. Possible reasons for management reticence over absence information are discussed.